Core Rules http://dreamings.ning.com 14
rÞl=Iy =UlÞ=|lO=°
Lightest Touch: Our game uses a "lightest
touch" boffer style. This means that you only need to
swing hard enough to touch your opponent with your
weapon. A hit still counts even if it only grazed you.
There is no such thing as "not swinging hard enough for
the hit to count".
We want to emphasize that “boffer sword”
fighting is an entirely unique style – it is not trying to
emulate what a real sword fight would be like, nor is it
trying to be overly-realistic. The emphasis in boffer
combat is on speed, skill, and finesse – not strength or
landing hits on vital areas.
Charging: You are not allowed to touch your
opponent in any way shape or form except for through
safety-approved boffer weapons and spell packets. Any
type of body contact is called "charging" An opponent is
also charging if they are close enough to you so that you
can reach out and touch their torso.
Violations: People who are found to be fighting
in an unsafe way may be issued a yellow card or red card
from a local Warden. If a Red Card is presented, you (the
player) will have your right to use weapons removed for
the night.
Legal Targets: Strikes to the head, neck, or groin
are illegal. Shots against the hands do not count if they
are currently holding something. Anyone found to be
repeatedly striking these spots will be issued a yellow card.
Safety reports may be filed on the website.
Weapon Construction: In order to ensure that
all weapons are safe, they must adhere to certain safety
guidelines, as described in this document. At any time, the
Warden of the territory you are in may ask to check your
weapon. If they find any fault with its construction, such
as thin foam or exposed pipe, they will reject the weapon.
This means you may not fight with it until it is fixed or
remade.
|ll= ÞOÞ Ô=ÞIÞ
All weapons do one point of damage (called a
wound). People can use certain skills and abilities which
may change this – if they call out a game effect or number
of damage while they're swinging, the weapon delivers
that game effect or number of damage instead of a wound.
Every character has a certain number of health.
This is the number of wounds you can take before you
lose consciousness. All characters begin with five health.
(You can gain two more by picking the skill Toughness.)
You cannot fall into negative numbers. For example, if
you have two health left, and somebody hits you for ten
damage, you will only be at 0 health.
Certain spells or abilities can grant you additional
protection, called armor. Armor works just like health,
except that points of armor are lost before health. Armor
is not refreshed by healing spells, it needs to be refit. The
spell or ability which grants you the armor will describe
how to refit it. Armor from multiple sources does not
stack. For example, if you were granted 1 point of armor
from a Dead God, and 1 point of armor from your
Dreamstone, you still only have one point of armor. Only
the highest number you are being granted counts. Note
that there is no bonus for wearing real armor as part of
your costume.
When you have zero health left, you must fall
down and act like you're knocked out. While you're
playing dead, you can't look around, call out for help, use
items or skills, or do anything. If you're lying in the
middle of a battle, you're allowed to crawl a few feet over
so you don't get stepped on.
Once you reach 0 health, you will be knocked-out
for five minutes. While unconscious, you are helpless
against any attempts to kill you. During this time someone
may lay a weapon on your torso and deliver a Death
Blow. To do this, they say "Death Blow 1, Death Blow 2,
Death Blow 3". This must take at least three seconds, and
anyone may stop it by knocking the killer's weapon aside.
When the blow is finished, you say "I phase out", and take
off your game badge or arm band. If someone death
blows you while you are still conscious, you may say "no
effect" and ignore the blow.
If you are unconscious for five minutes and you
do not receive a death blow, you regain consciousness and
are at 1 health.
If you are killed, your character vanishes for the rest of
the day. You will be reborn at sunrise with no wounds. In
the meantime, you can choose to be a Summoner's shade
minion. You may still post to the Aether.
Ô|ÞQQlOQ rÞO=ÞO=
An incapacitated or otherwise immobile character
may be dragged. To do this, you must have two free hands
(so all in-game items you are holding must be sheathed or
dropped). Put a hand on the character's shoulder and say
Core Rules http://dreamings.ning.com 15
"I drag you". Once the character stands up, you may move
at a walking speed with the character. Using any in-game
skills or taking damage while dragging causes the dragged
character to be dropped.
When you drop a character, he must lie down
where you dropped him. If you pick him up again, you
have to wait for him to sit down and stand back up.
ÞUI° lO Þ|Þy
This rule is very important. If someone is hurt
out-of-game, call out "Cut!" If you hear someone call
"Cut!", you must immediately stop what you're doing and
go down to one knee. If you see other people on one
knee, they is probably a cut in effect and you should also
go down to one knee. When the action is cut, the game is
stopped, and everything should freeze. During a cut, you
may not be communicating with friends, planning strategy,
or fighting.
Cuts can be used to clarify rules or describe a
special scene or effect, though this will not happen often.
Since calling a Cut stops the game, do not call cuts lightly.
They are usually used for emergencies, or to improve the
flow of the game.
When the game resumes from a Cut, the person
who called the cut will yell "everybody ready? 3-2-1,
Action!"
List of Dreaming Calls
IÞ= ¤Þ°lÞ°
Many of the things that happen in the game are
explained by the use of “calls”. These are out-of-game
words and phrases which describe certain effects. For
example, the call "roots" represents a force which pins
your foot to the ground. “2 iron” is a call that represents
that the attack does two points of damage with an iron
weapon. (if you are vulnerable to iron, you take an extra
point). It is necessary that you role play when you are hit
with these effects.
If you use up an expendable skill on someone
and they don’t role play the effect or call a defensive skill
in reply, the skill is not used up. At the very minimum,
they have to call “got it” to indicate to you that they
registered the attack. If you miss with an attack, it isn't
used up either.
Sometimes you may be able to call a defensive
skill in reply to another attack. For example, warriors have
the ability to parry weapon blows. To do this, you must
announce "parry" in response to the attack. After the
attack, you have three seconds to use a defensive call.
Ô=|lv=|y O=IÞÞÞ°
• By Weapon – in order to deliver a call
through a weapon blow, you have to hit your
victim in a legal target (anywhere other than their
hands, head, neck, or groin). For example, a rogue
with a poison dagger must slice his opponent
successfully in order to deliver the call. All game
weapons must follow weapon safety guidelines.
• By Aura – most spells are cast through
small cloth pouches filled with birdseed called
Spell Packets (or occasionally “spackets”.) In-
game, people refer to these objects as “aura”. If
you are holding spell packets, it looks like your
hand is glowing with magical aura. In order to
cast a spell, you must say the full incantation of
the spell and then throw the spell packet. If the
packet his your target or anything he or she is
wearing or holding, then your spell should
succeed.
• By Gesture – Some things (like wands)
will allow you to target multiple people or people
in the distance. In order to target someone in the
List of Dreaming Calls http://dreamings.ning.com 16
distance, you must call out the person’s name or a
description of him or her. For example, Traven
has a wand that will cast a sleep spell. While
pointing it at Nughaull, Traven calls out “Hey!
Fae wearing red, by my gesture, sleep”. Some
abilities will let you gesture to everyone around
you, or certain people who are nearby.
• By Voice – Some large effects will be
delivered through the caster’s voice. If you hear
the incantation to the spell, you are affected by it.
ÔU|ÞIlÞO
Some effects will be instant, like effects that
inflict wounds. Others will last longer. Most calls have a
duration of "line-of-sight". This means, the spell still
affects you as long as you are within the caster’s line-of-
sight. To determine whether or not you are in line-of-
sight, imagine a line being drawn between you and the
caster. If it is obstructed by buildings or stationary objects
for more than ten seconds, the spell is over. To break a
line-of-sight spell, you can’t just face the other way or hide
behind people – you have to step behind a building or
tree.
The duration of any spell that doesn’t deliver an
immediate effect (like damage) is line-of-sight unless a
different duration is specified. For example, if someone
hits you with a “root” attack, you are rooted in place until
the caster leaves your line of sight. If the attack states
“roots for 1 minute”, you remain trapped for a full
minute.
The duration "until rest" indicates that the effect
will go away once you take a five-minute rest.
ÞÞ||°
Bestow - the target receives a skill, ability, or
bonus, as specified. Some bestowed abilities can only be
used once, while others can be refreshed like an encounter
skill. Unless another duration is specificed, all
bestowments disappear at 6 AM.
Bind - your arms are bound to your side. You
may still move around. Any attacks that hit your weapons
or shield will effect you while bound.
Disarm - you must drop the specified item. You
may not toss it or throw it. You may pick it up again as
soon as it hits the ground and stops moving. If this call is
delivered by weapon, the target is the weapon or limb it
hits. The call will have no effect if the legs or torso are hit.
Dispel X - the specified call is ended. For
example, if you are effected by roots, someone could cure
before the duration has finished with "dispel roots". Any
unspent charges from an evocation spell can also be
snuffed out by a dispel by targeting "dispel evocation".
Drain - While drained, you cannot take any in-
game actions or use any skills.
Heal – this call heals a point of damage. A
number of wounds may be specified, such as "Heal 3".
Knockout - you are unconscious and must fall to
the ground. You will wake up in 60 seconds.
Push - the target must immediately move back
until they are ten feet away, and cannot use offensive game
skills until he does. If he is unable to move back, he must
kneel for three seconds. If the target is already ten feet
away, this has no effect.
Refresh - This call recharges one skill. Usually, a
specific skill or skill type will be specified, such as
"Refresh 1 encounter skill".
Roots – When rooted, your right foot is stuck to
the ground. You may pivot on that foot, but cannot move
it from that spot.
Slow - When slow, you cannot run.
v=|lIÞ°
Veritas, the Latin word for truth, is a special game
word which means the next thing you are about to say is
true within the context of the game. For example, if
somebody points to the sky and says "Veritas: There's a
UFO flying overhead!" you must act as if you see the
UFO flying overhead.
Game instructions may also be delivered with the
word Veritas. For example, during a Dream Walk, you
might hear, "Veritas - the pavement is hot lava. If you step
on it, you take one damage."
You are only allowed to use the word Veritas if a
game ability or Dream Walk script has permitted you to
do so.
Þ°yÞÞÞQ=ÞQ|ÞÞÞy
In Dreams, a location can have more than one
List of Dreaming Calls http://dreamings.ning.com 17
identity. For example, a place can be both a park near your
house and the ruins of an ancient battleground.
Sometimes, (often on Dream Walks) you will venture into
fantastic places which coexist with actual geography. The
word Veritas is often used to create this psychogeographic
coexistence.
For example, you might be on a Dream Walk to a
temple in the peaks of the Himalayas. As you climb a
steep hill, your party leader might say, "Veritas, you can
see for hundreds of miles up here!" When you reach the
little gazebo at the top of the hill, he'll say "Veritas - look,
over there, the temple!"
Rewards
IÞ= Ô|=ÞO°IÞO=
Anyone who spends some time in the Dreaming
may create a Dreamstone. This is a special stone which
grants you powers or abilities. Every character may only
own one Dreamstone. It will only work for that player,
and cannot be stolen or traded.
As you bring your Dreamstone with you in the
Dreaming, you may hear it begin to talk to you. Over time,
it may teach you secrets or grant you special powers.
People often choose a Dreamstone which shares
some quality with their character. Someone who's
character is a dirty lowlife might have a lump of coal for a
Dreamstone. Someone who is very vain might carry a
beautiful gem. A charismatic fast talker might choose a
very smooth stone.
=ÞlOlOQ 9=°ÞOÞOÞ=
The Dreamstone "wakes up" over time by taking
it with you during your travels. Every time you complete a
Dream Walk which is Archived, you gain a point of
Resonance. This Resonance can be spent to awaken your
Dreamstone's powers.
You can also be awarded Resonance for good
archiving. This means writing good blog posts or
submissions to the game. For example, if you post an
interesting journal, speech, artwork, or essay, a staff
member might reward you Resonance in that post's
comments. If you do something in the Dreaming which
creates drama, story, or inspires others, you can be
awarded Resonance.
In your profile, there is a section titled "Dream
Log". This section is used to record when and how you
received Resonance. List the date, title, and link to the
relevant archive entry. For example, if you go on the
Dream Walk titled "Fae Rescue" on November 4th, and
somebody posts a blog entry about it, record this:
"11/24 - Fae Rescue -
http://dreamings.ning.com/profiles/blogs/
name-of-blog-entry".

Rewards http://dreamings.ning.com 18
rÞ=OÞlOQ 9=°ÞOÞOÞ=
To awaken the Dreamstone's power, you must
spend Resonance. Each power also has an upkeep cost, an
amount of Resonance which must be paid each month. If
the upkeep is not paid within 30 days, the power
disappears.
When you purchase a power, list it, and the date
on which you purchased it, in the profile section called
"Dreamstone Powers". Spend Resonance on that power
by cutting it from your Dream Log and pasting it beneath
that entry.
For example, if you buy the Dream Shield power,
which costs 2 points, your Dreamstone Power section
might look like this:
2/19/10 - Dream Shield - You gain 1 armor
point. They can be refreshed by holding
your Dreamstone and concentrating for 60
seconds.
1/10 - Fae Rescue -
http://dreamings.ning.com/profiles/blogs/
we-rescued-some-fae
1/15 - Awaken the Wakes -
http://dreamings.ning.com/profiles/blogs/
putting-up-posters-downtown
If the power's upkeep is 1, you would have to list
an additional point of Resonance underneath that entry
between 3/19 and 4/18. Another point would have to be
spent between 4/19 and 5/18. If a power expires because
the upkeep has not been paid, mark that power as
INACTIVE. You may reactive it at any time by paying the
upkeep cost.
A point of Resonance can only be spent once.
After it's been listed underneath an active power, it cannot
be spent again.
For a list of Dreamstone powers,
see the Dreaming website.
Races of the Dreaming
vl°lÞO°

Ô=°Þ|lÞIlÞO
Visions are the natural inhabitants of the
Dreaming, and are thought of as dreams themselves.
Visions guard the Dreaming against outsiders. They take
an additional wound when struck by essence damage.
¤=QlOOlOQ Þ° Þ vl°lÞO
If you are playing a Vision, your character will
either be a wanderer who has just come here from some
other part of the country, or a newly created Vision who
was just given birth by the Dreaming. New Visions do not
know the current events of the Dreaming and must learn
in-game about the presence of Fae. Note that many
Visions dislike Fae and view their presence in the
Dreaming as a kind of intrusion, though they are for the
most part willing to put up with the Fae until they can
reclaim their homeland.
Races of the Dreaming http://dreamings.ning.com 19
WO vl°lÞO°
July 23, 1852. Journal of Archilino Dulcinari, (d.
1836) former member of the Roman Catholic Church, Official
scribe of the Italian High Shaper.
Visions are an interesting specimen, perhaps the
most interesting specimen that I have seen in this new
world. Visions are not born like you and I, in our home
plane. They are brought into being by the will of the
Dreaming itself. Sometimes they are born for apparent
reasons, like decay within the dream country, sometimes
for no perceivable reason at all. It is their function to
maintain the dreamworld. It is necessary for the Dreaming
to continuously modify and reshape itself, as this plane is
far more malleable than ours, and the agents through
which this is done are the Visions. They serve a secondary
function, as well, depending on the vision, in the form of
quantifying, experimenting, and interpreting the vast
amounts of data that they receive from the dreams of
"wakes". Recently, they have adjusted to fit a third
function, a function much like the antibodies in our body,
fighting impurities in the Dreaming itself.
All Visions are shapers of the Dreaming, and the
individual dreams of "wakes". Thus, visions are known
from time to time to fabricate dream visions in the
subconscious of other inhabitants of the Dreaming.
All visions are made of the Prime Material of the
Dreaming, called Essence. If one can refine the metals of
the Dreaming into a weapon crafted of Essence, it will
severely damage a vision.
All Visions tend to share a custodianship for the
dreaming, and most will support a Shaper. However,
Visions are frequently xenophobic and will demand that
this Shaper be a Vision, or at the very least a Dead God.
IÞ= Ô|=ÞO° Þl vl°lÞO°
It is assumed that most of the time that a vision
spends off-stage and out-of-game, they are in a sort of
between-worlds zone where they become the Dreams of
the waking world. What exactly does this mean?
When a wake goes to sleep, their mind drifts away
from their body. Seemingly effortlessly, it crosses through
the mists and into the Dreaming. There, it wanders
aimlessly through the Dreamscape, eternal visitors and
tourists incapable of resting or staying in one place for
too long. Despite the tireless travel, the mind is not
fatigued, but rather, invigorated and rejuvenated by its
glimpse at the Waking World’s sister plane. Most of this
voyage is unfortunately not remembered upon return to
the familiar shores of consciousness.
While in the Dreaming, wakes often encounter
Visions and other dreams. Visions have the talent of
stepping inside a Wake’s consciousness and briefly crafting
their reality. This can take place in two main ways.
A Vision is capable of walking with the Wake and
describing a scene in a way that it becomes real to him or
her. The Vision shares the point of view of the Wake for
a time, and then departs. They will walk together for a
while as the Vision narrates: “There is a bucket by your
bed and a bat at the bottom of it. The bat is covered with
ants. You are horrified.” Occasionally this narrative takes
place in the first person.
While “phased out”, the vision is incorporeal.
While in this state, he or she will skip from mind to mind,
sometimes merely keeping pace with one wake, sometimes
jumping from dream to dream like a stone skipping on the
water. Within a mind, the Vision is the master-painter, a
psychedelic director, and for a short time, a part of the
Wake’s internal consciousness.
While within the dreams of wakes, a Vision has a
fleeting glimpse of that person’s mind. This glimpse leads
to curiosity, but Wakes do not stay in the Dreaming long
enough for to satisfy a Vision's questions. The way that
Wakes experience the world is entirely different from
Visions. For a Vision, it’s somewhat like looking into a
kaleidoscope, but in addition to seeing colors and shapes,
the Vision sees contradictory opinions, memories and
emotions all blended into one strange impression. It is a
much more contradictory mode of experience than a
Vision can imagine. When retracting from this image and
returning to the Dreaming, the Vision must return to a
world with fewer rules, less structure, and less tangibility.
This can be frustrating, but it often provides a sense of
purpose and direction.
The way that a Vision interacts with Wakes is
often a component part of that Vision’s personality. Some
visions are called nightmares, and feel the greatest
fulfillment from Dreams filled with horror and adrenaline.
Some call themselves incubi or succubi, and enjoy dreams
of an ‘indulgent’ nature. Most visions prefer to pick a
specific emotion or concept to center a Dream around.
It is thought that Visions who spend too much
time in Dreams can become trapped there, staring
abysmally into the confusing mind of wakes. Meanwhile,
Visions who do not spend enough time in Dreams find
themselves without direction, without motivation, and
Races of the Dreaming http://dreamings.ning.com 20
occasionally, without emotion. These Visions seem to
have lost a part of themselves and can often benefit from
an extended meditation within the Dreamscape of
foreigners.
Some Visions wonder if they are necessarily the
“top level” of unconsciousness. Dreams lose
consciousness too, and when they die, their essence is
temporarily in Void. While they slumber, are the spirits of
Visions being explored by some beings in the Void? None
remember long enough to tell.

lÞ=
Ô=°Þ|lÞIlÞO
Fae are a magical and mysterious people displaced
from their homeland, Faerie. Fae are refugees in the
Dreaming, hiding here while their homeland is consumed
by war. Fae take an additional wound when struck by iron
damage.
¤=QlOOlOQ Þ° Þ lÞ=
If you are playing a Fae, you are a stranger in a
strange land. You are an exile from your homeland, the
realm of Faerie. You may have lived in the Waking World
during the time the Fae call the Great Fade, when the last
magic in the world faded out and all Fae went color-blind.
You might have lived in Faerie, the Fae’s homeland, when
the Fae were forced them out of their homeland. Or
perhaps you were born in the Dreaming and have never
known either Faerie or the Waking World. Now you
wander the Dreaming, looking for a place to call home.
WO lÞ=
Welcome friend, sit down and chat with me. The
world of the dreaming is a rough place - sometimes it
seems so drab and bleak. This place makes me miss my
home more and more every day. But this is our home now,
and I suppose all we can do is defend this, our last
stronghold.
I am Tak, a Fae. I used to be called a Satyr, but
after we came through the Rift to the Dreaming, our
forms ended up being a bit more mundane. Now none of
us have horns or wings or hooves - you can barely tell any
of us apart! Me and my kin live in the woods here.
We tried to live in the Waking World for a while,
but it's all black and white and it smells like oil. It's been
like that since the Industrial Revolution. Humans still see
the color for some reason, but I don't think it's there, not
like it used to be. And when color went, we couldn't use
our glamour, either. Our kind used to love traveling to the
Waking World, but it was too sad to stay. So we left. Now
we live in the Dreaming.
It seems like so long ago. Once upon a time, we
lived in the land of Faerie where everything was bright
Races of the Dreaming http://dreamings.ning.com 21
and colorful, the world oozed magic, and what humankind
viewed as impossibilities were everyday occurrences.
Those days are gone now. We were driven from our home
by war, a war between the Seelie and Unseelie courts. The
Unseelie brought the monsters to Faerie, and eventually
the monsters overcame us both. Now our great land, once
an endless paradise, is a desolate desert. It is less our
world now then theirs. After the invasion, many of our
kind died. Those of us who survived escaped through the
Rifts to the Dreaming only to fight amongst ourselves.
IÞ= rIÞ|y Þl IÞ= =Kl|=
There have always been two houses in the realm
of Faerie, the Seelie court and the Unseelie court. The
two courts have been at each other's throats for as long as
anyone can remember. A long time ago, these courts once
stood for something - the Seelie court was associated with
light, beauty, and goodness, while the Unseelie epitomized
all that is dark, foul, and evil. Over centuries of warfare,
each court took on some of its opponent's properties. By
the 1800s, the difference between the two courts was in
name only.
In the mid 1800s, magic in the Waking World
began to fail. Advancements in science and technology
resulted in a plague among the Fae. A widespread color-
blindness and subsequent depression spread through the
Fae as they began to wither and die. This was called the
Great Fade.
Around the time of the Waking World's Industrial
Revolution, something happened to the Unseelie Court.
They began to fight with no regard for their own survival.
They began to employ unnatural creatures which had no
place in existence. The Fae were consumed by their
mission to destroy their enemies. History would reveal
that the Unseelie leader's attempts to tap into the Void of
Nonexistence had corrupted them beyond measure.
Eventually, the void creatures were no longer
under the Unseelie's control. They began to slaughter
wantonly, no longer fighting for one side or the other. The
Seelie and Unseelie courts were not able to fight a two
front war, and began to lose ground to the monsters.
The war drew to a close in the year 2010, when
the Unseelie Court succeeded in its ancient goal of
repelling the Seelie Fae from Faerie. Spread thin, they
were unable to hold their ground, and were exiled as well.
In their victory, they had also destroyed themselves. The
outsiders had taken the realm, and its natives were
displaced. Many members of the Unseelie Court still roam
Faerie, which is now a deserted wasteland, overrun by
hordes of ravenous monsters.
With the exile both from Faerie and the Waking
World, the Fae had few places left to go. In mass, they
traveled through large rifts to the Dreaming, where they
made their home. The Fae found that though they may
have appeared as tiny leprechauns, intimidating giants, or
any number of dazzling creatures, when their world was
lost, they also lost their ability to enhance their appearance
with glamour. Now all the fae look quite mundane.
The members of the Unseelie court have turned
up in the Dreaming looking for a place to stay. Some
members of the Unseelie court have followed their
ancient adversaries through the rifts to make trouble.
Others are guilty for their deeds, or are unhappy with how
the war was resolved. Many simply become monsters,
wandering the Dreaming in search of the next fight.
IÞ= Ôl°IÞOI OÞ|lIÞO Þl lÞ=|l=
The Faerie ffolke have many things about them
which seem strange to those that know only the Waking
World. There are many traditions, rituals, and ideas that
are bafflingly foreign to mortals, their gods, and their
dreams.
For one, there are many diseases which plague
Faerie. Humans are used to diseases which physically
attack the body. The Faerie have diseases like these – the
(un)common cold, hayfever, tourette’s syndrome, and the
bubonic plague, to name a few in common. They also
have an entirely different family of diseases which are
affective in nature. These diseases effect the mind and the
emotions, not the body. One example of this disease is
the Scarlet Rage, a sickness that is perforates the mind and
agitates it towards violence. Much like one might catch a
cold by not putting on a coat before going outside, people
catch the Scarlet Rage by feeling overwhelmingly
frustrated or hopeless.
This disease is common especially among
Redcaps. When affected by extreme cases of Scarlet Rage,
the sick Faerie sees everything with a red filter over it.
People seem to be indistinguishable black silhouettes.
Only those that the Faerie really trusts seem to be in
focus, and then only briefly. When confronted with one
of these hateful black shadows, the Faerie is unable to
withhold from violence. The Scarlet Rage is only curable
by deep focused meditation, spread out over a long time.
Races of the Dreaming http://dreamings.ning.com 22
Violence, unfortunately, only inflames the disease, but
with the brief-lived satisfaction of scratching poison ivy.
When the Faerie came to the Dreaming, it
seemed apparent that other races could get the Scarlet
Rage (as well as other affective diseases, such as
Sadarrhea, the Inappropriate Giggles, and Chronic Goth
Syndrome) as well. Many beings laughed at this notion –
those silly Fae were thinking that people’s natural
emotions were a contagious disease! --And perhaps that is
true. But still, the Fae Elders warn against being
consumed with violence – it does not cure the Scarlet
Rage, it only makes it worse. You may destroy yourself, in
time. Ffolklore tells a few stories of Faerie that
succumbed to this rage and became beasts themselves.
The Redcaps instead hold that this disease is a
sacred tradition called Bloodlust. When at the height of
Bloodlust, a redcap will drink the blood of his foes and
dip his cap in it, making it as red as his anger. This is a
spiritual and personal moment characterized by pride,
glory, hubris, and a sense of communion with oneself.
The Fae have no notions of many things that are
natural to the joyless people of the Mortal Realm. Fae do
not dream, and Fae do not think about the Afterlife. They
do, however, have a few emotions that mortals do not
have. One particular emotion is called amaloom. This
feeling is a sense of distance from home and deep
homesickness which words cannot describe. When a
Faerie notices that another Fae is feeling particularly
amaloomful, they will try to help out. The most common
way of doing this is by giving the amaloomy Fae a gift that
reminds them of Faerie. Leaves and flowers are common,
but poems, drawings, kisses, and dirty limericks are also
popular choices. Many Fae report feeling Amaloom in
since they moved to the Dreaming. Oddly enough, some
think this emotion may also be a disease which can be
transmitted to the youth. Many Fae who were born in the
Dreaming feel Amaloom as well, but have difficulty
identifying or explaining it.
Races of the Dreaming http://dreamings.ning.com 23
Ô=ÞÞ =ÞÞ°
Ô=°Þ|lÞIlÞO
Dead Gods were once worshiped in the Waking
World, but their followings have been lost. With few
earthly worshipers, they are sentenced to wait in the
Dreaming until The End of the World.
Dead Gods take an extra wound of damage from
either silver, iron, or essence damage. You must choose
which one at character creation. (Indicate your
vulnerability in the biography section of your profile.)
¤=QlOOlOQ Þ° Þ Ô=ÞÞ =ÞÞ
If you are playing a Dead God, come up with
some background information about your life. You were
worshiped in the Waking World at one point, probably by
a long-lost culture such as the Babylonians, Sumerians, the
Celts, the Native Americans, or any number of African or
South American cultures. Or perhaps you're a newer God,
someone who was worshiped in more recent times. Once
you were no longer worshiped or believed in, you lost
your power and drifted into a long coma. Some time later,
(could be a year, could be a few millennia) you awoke in
the Dreaming. This place is a kind of purgatory to you -
you're waiting for someone to worship you again, or
Ragnarok, the time when all Gods will walk the Earth
again. You do not need to be a historically accurate-god;
you can
make up a
God, but
the culture
you come
from must
be real, or at
least sound
real.
WO Ô=ÞÞ =ÞÞ°
I am Koracotl, Forgotten Toltec God of
medicine and healing. One day, I shall return.
One day, I shall return. That’s the phase you will
repeat over and over again as a Dead God. It gives you
hope. Sometimes, a little hope is all you need to go
through with your day-to-day life. Sometimes, all the hope
in the world isn’t enough.
Originally, we were all real Gods. We were
worshiped by Sumerians. We were worshiped in
Babylonia. We were worshiped in the dark parts of Africa
and South America. The early peoples of North America.
The Druids of Europe. Scores of others. But since our
glory days, we have been cast aside as false or just plain
forgotten. With no faith left in our power, we come here
through a painfully long slumber.
They call us the Dead Gods. And however
depressing it is, we are Dead, in a way. Of course, it is a
purely mortal concept that life stops at death. There is
hope- if they begin worshiping us again in the Waking
World, we’ll get a chance to return. And when cometh
Ragnarok, the end of the world, we will walk the Earth
again as the Gods we were. And are.
When we come to the Dreaming, we fall into a
deep coma-like sleep. This sleep can last thousands of
years if we have no will to come back. When we finally
wake up, we are powerless husks of our old selves and the
world has changed so much we doubt they’ll ever worship
us again. It’s tragic, really. We’ve serve our purpose, and
the Dreaming is like the waiting room before we get our
power again. But that doesn’t mean we’re passive residents
here, we avidly participate in the politics and drama of the
Dreaming, we just don’t feel it’s our destiny.
We get along fairly well with the Visions, as they
do a good job of taking care of us until we can return to
our full power. No specific problem with the Fae either;
they’ve lost their homeland too. The Lost Souls are a sad
people I don’t entirely understand, but we, of all people,
can sympathize with wanderers who haven’t reached their
goal.
Now the trouble with us is that we’re pretty easy
to kill while we’re on the Dreaming. If you cut us with a
weapon, it challenges our power, decreasing our Faith.
Once all our Faith is gone, we disappear from the
Dreaming to float through the Void of nonexistence. Our
curse is that we always come back.
Races of the Dreaming http://dreamings.ning.com 24
Every one of us has an Altar, somewhere. It
could be an elaborate temple or just a spot in the woods.
It’s a good idea to hide your altar from everyone except
your close allies, as if someone knows where your Altar is,
they have a certain degree of power over you- they can
cut you back out of the Dreaming when you materialize,
they can ambush you when you are being worshipped, and
they can sure-as-Ragnarok make you wish you could move
the damn thing.
That’s another trouble with us: all our power
comes from the Faith that people have in us. In order to
gain more, we need people to come to our altar and
worship us for a while. It’s a good idea to create a Verse
that your followers can repeat over and over again to
glorify and praise of your might, wisdom, power, et cetera.
Most of our powers do not serve ourselves, but our
followers, creating resources, protecting them from
combat, that sort of thing. But this works out because
without our followers, we are nothing.
So we sit and pass time in the Dreaming. Some
mortals believe in a place called Purgatory where those
who have not succeeded or failed in life are destined to
wait until they can rejoin their afterlife. Maybe it is the
mortal’s relatively recent belief in Purgatory that has
caused us to awaken here. Maybe it is the destiny of all
Gods to die and wait here, as karmic punishment for
being the greatest beings in the universe.
IÞ= ÔlvlO= ¤|ÞIÞ=|ÞÞÞÞ
The Gods of the waking world thought
themselves to be without rival until they learned that their
power was equivalent to their followers’ faith in them.
This sudden vulnerability came late in life. Much like a
football player who receives a back injury and must
forsake his destiny, the Husks of Gods have a sense of
greatness that circumstance has whisked from them.
One of the most daunting thoughts that most
Gods have is the notion of unimportance. For their entire
existence in the Waking World, the Gods thought
themselves the masters and creators of the universe. They
may have known of other pantheons, but each God
regarded them as false – mere pretenders and false idols.
Most Gods believed that their pantheon was unique,
cosmically important. Many believed that members of
their pantheon did indeed create the universe.
And though all these nations may be true, in the
Dreaming, the graveyard of the Gods, they face threats to
their own faith in themselves. Gods are suddenly
confronted with others of their previous stature. They see
mortals who outrank them, and beings which do not fit
into their models of the universe (“Who are all these
foreigners in Morpheus’ realm?” some Greek gods ask
themselves with a combination of frustration and
disbelief).
The universe seems to be a strange and alien
place to a God who has freshly woken from the Sleep of
the Forgotten. Furthermore, there are other gods which
could not possibly exist! There are even Gods who now
walk the Dreaming which were momentarily worshiped by
school children, the insane, and fictional characters in
books! If Gods are actually the lords of the universe, how
is it that every time mortals meet in mass, they have the
potential to spawn another deity, another seemingly
omnipotent being who, if even temporarily, seems to
them to be the One Powerful Essence in the sky?
As such, many Gods regard humans with a mix
of confusion and awe. These creatures are clearly more
powerful than the Gods first thought – powerful enough
to craft a being as perfect as the Gods themselves! And on
the other hand, it is almost humiliating to take orders
from them. They are mortals, after all.
Gods are often struck with pangs of desire to
belong to a pantheon. The Gods, over time, can learn to
see their peers in the Dreaming not as competitors, but as
members of the same family. The interactions and
relations with that family, no matter how mundane, are an
important part of that God’s personality – a living
mythology.
Some Gods take it quite personally when a mortal
worships a god that they don’t consider part of their
pantheon. When receiving faith from this mortal, it will
feel dirty and impure. The faith will also feel tainted if the
mortal’s heart was not into worship when praying to that
God.
Gods in many Dream Countries have created a
ritual which welcomes a god into the pantheon of that
Dream Country. This usually involves a sort of initiation
rite in which the god is given the faith of the mortals of
that Dream Country and then slain by the other Gods. If
the neonate God returns to the Dreaming and is reborn in
a day’s time, it means that the God is accepted into the
Pantheon. If the God fails to materialize, it means that
fate has chosen that this God should move on.
Other Gods form smaller pantheons, consisting
of only a few of their divine brethren. Everyone in the
pantheon must select a mentor (or parent), an ally, and a
Races of the Dreaming http://dreamings.ning.com 25
nemesis from within the pantheon. These relationships
often do not make sense, but their existence is crucial to
the Gods notion of purpose. These Gods then try to play
out mythology and maintain these relations with the other
divine beings of their extended family.
Until a God belongs to a pantheon, they are
permeated with a feeling of meaninglessness and a sense
of being out-of-context.
Races of the Dreaming http://dreamings.ning.com 26
|Þ°I rÞU|
Ô=°Þ|lÞIlÞO
Lost Souls once lived in the Waking World, but
died and got lost on their way to the Afterlife. Now they
reside in the Dreaming. Lost Souls take an additional
wound when struck with silver damage.
¤=QlOOlOQ Þ° Þ |Þ°I rÞU|
If you are playing a Lost Soul, you were once a
mortal that lived in the Waking World. After your death,
you wandered towards a distant light-- usually, mortals are
guided to the afterlife, but since the Labyrinth has been
overrun, you had no guide to bring you there. You
wandered off the path and ended up in the Dreaming.
You have fragmentary memory of your life. There are
large holes in your memory. You may sense that you may
have some purpose to fulfill, but you can’t remember what
it is. Some Lost Souls see their time in the Dreaming as
another chance to live. Some, however, are very depressed
that they cannot be where they belong- their afterlife. Lost
Souls do not always look like they did at the end of their
life- so you could have died at age 75 but appear as a 22
year old.
WO |Þ°I rÞU|°
When the car hit me, I died, though my "life"
never ended. I believe that while on Earth, my name was
Jacob Cadmire, I walked with my wife along a...beach?
Now I walk along side gods and walking dreams. They call
me Drathor. This is my story, though the details are foggy
and few ever since entering this country.
Let me start over.
You're hungry for something other than food.
You're restless but you can't physically sleep. Welcome to
your new home.
You came here through those mists. That cloudy,
immeasurable road filled with cold, still air and the echoes
of horrific laughter? You didn't hear it? Maybe it was just
me, then. And they call us Lost Souls. As if we had any
other place to go. We're here. Call it trapped, call it
blessed, but there's no getting out.
You've come here just like I did. That stuff about
the car? I'm not too sure - I just kind of hope that, you
know, the car was what killed me rather than who ever it
was that was chasing me. Look, I don't know about the
afterlife, I've never seen Heaven or Hell, and whenever I
mention it to one of my new comrades, they give this sly,
sarcastic smile, like they know something that we don't.
I don't know why there are dead humans
wandering this...dreamscape thing. Think of it as you will,
but whether this "place" is the end of your journey as
humans, a punishment for what you've done, or your last
chance at redemption, you're not leaving the same way
you came in.
If we die here, we stop "being" for a while, but
then we come back. Immortality's a sugar-coated
imprisonment, I'd say. In the transit between the Waking
World and this one, I lost something - my hopes, the
memory of my wife's face, the sound of my favorite song.
We keep killing these... Monsters, and they can kill us...but
then we both come back.
I think maybe it's some kind of games that these
Visions are playing. They're an odd bunch, like ants that
are never out of touch with their omniscient queen. The
Gods? Pompous manipulators, but at least they're
comforting, I'll give 'em that. The Fae are okay, I guess.
So, anyway, call me Drathor. I'd shake your hand,
Races of the Dreaming http://dreamings.ning.com 27
but there's no real feeling in either of us. Don't mind all
those fuzzy images of people walking around - they're still
alive. I think. Well, see ya 'round, watch your back,
because there's some crazy stuff to look forward to.
Ô|=ÞO° Þl IÞ= Ô=ÞÞ
Many humans who have found themselves
between worlds have a difficult time adapting to their new
plane. It can be a confusing and disorienting place. Many
ideas such as eating, sleeping, and dreaming are things
which mortals think is essential and universal, but are in
fact are only facets of their home plane, the Waking
World.
The most striking differences between the
Dreaming and their old hometown is the distorted sense
of time. Days seem to drift by without notice, and at the
hour when people first start going to sleep, the Dreaming
slows down as if it is magnifying its focus. At no point,
however, does time actually seem to slow down or speed
up.
Upon entering the Dreaming, Mortals are struck
with a frustrating sense of simultaneous bizarreness,
coincidence, and nostalgia. They are finally seeing with
fresh eyes a realm which they only know by intuition and
fragments of memory. Humans spend a third of their
lives in Dream, but few have the presence of mind to look
around. Now that they are here, they can finally take a
close look at what has been in their peripheral vision for
decades. They find that they often hear voices, feel
intuitions, and get flashes of knowledge or memory that
would have made them think they were crazy in the real
world. They also have trouble distinguishing between
internal and external monologue, so many humans find
themselves speaking their mind or babbling without
noticing.
Mortals spend much of their time pacing the
vaguely familiar fields and halls of the Dreaming. They
like to observe people’s lives played out in dream. Many
Lost Souls notice that Wakes have the same dream every
night. These are people who haven’t died yet, of course,
but seem to act like they have. These people go to sleep
every night and have another dream of class, work, an
uneventful night at home, partying with friends, and an
eventual sleep which transitions perfectly into them
waking up in the Real World.
This is a troubling notion. These poor wakes
seem to have little ambition – even their wildest dreams
just take them to their job in the morning. Furthermore,
they don’t ever notice that what they are living is dream.
Lost Souls wonder how much of their past life they have
spent in a similar haze.
Lost Souls also pick up on cultural undercurrents
and archetypes that they were previously unaware of but
were vastly influenced by in life. The natural cycles of the
seasons, the unconscious cultural energy behind popular
music, the themes and emotions of each holiday – these
things are enormously present to Lost Souls. They in
many ways replace the vague sense of purpose and pack-
mentality that many of them had before Death. Most Lost
Souls find themselves getting really deeply into the
Christmas spirit, the Easter spirit, and even the Rosh
Hashanah spirit, even if they didn’t previously belong to a
religion which celebrated it.
The presence of the Dead Gods in the Dreaming
is a wholly unsettling notion to the Lost Souls. The gods
cause the Lost Souls to question their mortal faith, and
thereby question what really was in store for them in the
afterlife.
When talking to gods, Lost Souls are filled with a
sense of wonder and awe, like they are staring into a pool
that is far deeper, older, and more mysterious than they
can fathom. Simultaneously, they often feel compelled to
follow the advice of the gods. The gods’ wisdom
resonates inside a Lost Soul and can cause him to become
enthralled by the gods’ words.
Some Lost Souls are angry with the gods, seeing
the gods as challenges to their world-view. These Lost
Souls have difficulty giving faith to any god that they do
not personally commune with through intimacy,
discussion, or suffering. When a Lost Soul falls in love
with a God, it can be one of the deepest and most
profound feelings the Lost Soul can feel. Gods,
unfortunately, rarely return the favor.
Shades http://dreamings.ning.com 28
Shades
ÞÞÞI l° Þ rÞÞÞ=
There are many entities in the Dreaming who do
not have a physical body. They are present in the
Dreaming but do not have a way to interact with it. These
entities are called Shades. There are a few different types
of them.
Some shades are just like Dreams, except they
cannot manifest in the Dreaming without a host body.
They can talk, think for themselves, and act like any other
Dream character. If you are portraying one of these
Shades, you will wear an orange arm band.
Most shades, however, are incapable of too much
thought or communication. These shades wear a blue arm
band, and may optionally wear a mask.
A Shade wanders the Dreaming until it is
summoned by a Spell, Ritual, Dream Walk, or The Shaper.
If given the opportunity, a Shade can possess the body of
a Dream or Wake. That player now uses the Shade's stats
and skills. If the character receives a death strike, or
remains knocked out for 60 seconds, the Shade will flee
the body.
If someone gives you the ability to play a Shade
while you are playing your character, you must first
wander "off stage" (see: Entering or Leaving Game).
Then you may return with a blue arm band on, indicating
to everybody that you are a Shade and are not playing
your normal character. If you were a Wake when you were
summoned, (meaning you weren't playing, or your
character is dead for the night, but you're still hanging
around as a wake) you may put on the arm band and
come into game immediately.
Shades often wear masks to distinguish them
from regular characters.
Þ rÞÞÞ=° ¤=ÞÞvlÞ|
Many shades, particularly monsters and those
summoned by the Beckon Shade spell, do not have names,
and do not generally live long.
As a Shade, most of the time you will be under
the control of the person who summoned you. You are
not your character, and cannot speak or act on your
character's behalf. You must follow any instructions that
your creator gives to you. Generally, these must be simple
instructions like "follow me", "guard this spot", or "attack
this person".
Sometimes your creator will be a ritual, Dream
Walk, or Shaper. In this case, you may have more complex
instructions.
If you are attacked as a Shade, it does not damage
you, but the shade spirit. If you receive a death blow, or lie
unconscious for more than 60 seconds, the shade spirit
will vanish. At this point, You say "I vanish", and take off
your shade arm-band. If you were transformed from your
character into a Shade, you may now wander back on-
stage as your character.
Your character remembers anything that
happened while you were playing a Shade. So if you're
trying to keep a secret, you shouldn't say it in front of
Shades -- When they return as their character they'll still
remember what they've seen and heard.
A shade cannot deliver a death blow unless
specifically instructed to by its creator.
OÞO°I=|°
Certain types of Shades, called Monsters, are
controlled by destructive forces beyond our
understanding. Monsters are hostile, violent, and do not
attempt to communicate with Dreams. You will often
encounter monsters during Dream Walks. Sometimes you
will not be able to begin a Dream Walk without allowing
some people to be possessed by monsters.
Most Dreams applaud the hunting and slaughter
of monsters. It is thought that the Monster itself contains
some of this destructive force. By slaying the monster,
one safely disperses that energy. Over time, perhaps the
inevitable destruction of the universe can be averted by
slaying monsters.
The monsters come from a few different factions,
including the Void, the Unseelie Court, the Labyrinthine,
and the Outsiders.
Shades http://dreamings.ning.com 29
IyÞ=° Þl rÞÞÞ=°
The restless spirits which wander the Dreaming come from a number of sources.
NÞIlv= rÞÞÞ=°
Some Shades are native to the Dreaming, and are merely vessels for their summoner's will.
|OÞ
Imp
Health: 3
Imps are the weakest kind of shade, with little
mind of their own.
Skills
May pick a class and 2 skills. May not choose
Daily skills.
ÞÞ=ÞI
Adept
Health: 5
Adepts are as powerful as most Dreams.
Skills
May pick a class and 5 skills May not choose
Daily skills.
IÞ= vÞlÞ Þl NÞO=Kl°I=OÞ=
The Void of Nonexistence is the chaos which exists outside of reality. It is the resting place of creatures and
ideas which do not belong in our universe. The Void was first utilized in war by the Unseelie Fae, who summoned
creatures from the Void to fight their battle in Faerie. When the Fae escaped from their realm and fled to the
Dreaming, many Void creatures followed. In the year 2010, Void creatures began to appear in the Dreaming as well.
Ô=OÞO
Demon
Health: 10
Demons are formidable opponents, more
powerful than most Dreams.
Skills
May pick two classes and 4 skills from each
class.
Shades http://dreamings.ning.com 30
=|Þy OÞO
Gray Man
Health: 5
Gray Men are Lost Souls who have been
wandering, unable to find any destination for too
long. The Gray Men have forgotten their memories of
the Waking World. Their minds are filled with the
madness of the Void.
Skills
May pick a classes and 5 skills. May not
choose Daily Skills.
IÞ= UO°==|l= ÞÞU|I
The Unseelie Court is one of the two houses of Faerie. A long time ago, their house used to be filled with
Fae who were ugly, evil, and wretched. Over time, the Seelie and Unseelie courts became less distinct, and now all
types of Fae are members of the Unseelie Court.
The Seelie and Unseelie engaged in a war older than anybody can remember. In the last two hundred years
(a fairly short amount of time, to a Fae), the Unseelie began to employ horrible creatures summoned from the Void
of Nonexistence. The presence of the monsters shifted the uneasy balance between the two houses. Eventually, the
monsters turned on their Unseelie summoners. Both houses lost ground to the monsters, until the Fae as a whole
were forced to retreat from Faerie and escape into the Dreaming.
Many Unseelie felt guilty for their actions, or wish the war had been resolved differently. Some think the war
is still going on. Others are consumed with war, and see the Dreaming as the next great battlefield.
When some Unseelie Fae passed through the portal to the Dreaming, they did not keep their physical body.
Corrupted by the Void, consumed by rage, their anger made them into monsters. Now their spirits wander the
Dreaming, searching for an opportunity to continue the fight.
Monstrous Unseelie do not want to talk or negotiate, they only want to slay Faeries and all who would dare
to harbor them.
=ÞÞ|lO°
Goblin
Health: 3
Goblins are hungry little monsters who have
ravenous appetites and breed like rabbits. Hordes of
Goblins have demolished the once fertile countryside
of Faerie, and now roam the lands, devouring all they
encounter.
Goblins are evil, mischievous, and
untrustworthy. They are notoriously easily distracted
Shades http://dreamings.ning.com 31
by shiny objects or snack food.
Most Goblins are part of the Unseelie court.
Skills
Goblins have no skills.
IÞ= WUI°lÞ=|°
Nobody knows where the Outsiders came from. They come from a realm beyond ours which is difficult for
us to understand. Like all monsters, they seek to slay the inhabitants of the Dreaming. It is theorized that they are
aliens who have chosen to invade our world through its Dreaming instead of its Waking counterpart. Perhaps the
Outsiders are the dreams of space aliens in deep slumber as they hurdle towards us from outer space.
The Outsiders arrived in the year 2010.
IÞ= |ÞÞy|lOIÞlO=
Sometimes creatures leave the Labyrinth, the twisted knot which connects all worlds. They seek to right a
malfunctioning part of the universe -- the Lost Souls should have arrived in the Afterlife, but instead they still
wander the universe. The Labyrinth sends creatures to slay the Lost Souls, thereby decreasing their will to exist.
But something is also wrong within the Labyrinth. One would expect that the denizens of the Labyrinth
would have no problem with the other races of the Dreaming. But they seem to have been driven mad - they are
unable to distinguish Lost Souls from other creatures, and seek to end all life in the Dreaming.
Territories http://dreamings.ning.com 32
Territories
Territories are locations where gameplay is
encouraged. Territories are created in-game through the
use of Dreamscaping Rituals
How to create a territory:
1. Go to the location you wish to enchant.
2. Perform the action described in the ritual
description.
3. Take pictures!
4. Create a group for that territory.
5. Mark your territory on the Map of the
Dreaming. Link to your group from there.
6. Use the group to coordinate activities
which take place there.
You may only own one Territory at a time. As the
owner of a Territory (referred to as a Warden), you have
two roles:
• Out-Of-Game Duties: You are
responsible for moderating the game, including
designating dangerous areas, performing weapon
safety checks, and policing rules violations. You
may act in this capacity even when you are out of
game. Your character motivation has no bearing
on these duties. (You must be fair when
performing a safety check, even for your enemies)
• In-Game Duties: You are considered
the owner of this part of the Dreamscape. You
feel connected to it, and responsible for
maintaining it. In order for it to remain active,
you must occasionally spend time there. If you
host occasional gatherings there, you gain the
ability to vote for a Shaper.
ÔÞOQ=| |=v=|
When you create a territory, you may specify that
it is "safe" or "dangerous". If it is safe, no combat may
take place in that area. If it is dangerous, combat is allowed.
You may restrict danger to certain times or certain areas.
For example, if you Dreamscaped your house,
you probably wouldn't want people swinging weapons
around and destroying everything. You would designate
your house as safe, except for the back yard, which is
dangerous. If Dreams hang out in your back yard, they
could attack each other at any time.
A corporate park may be a good spot for a fight
in the evening, but would Disturb the Dream during the
daytime. Somebody's house can be a territory, but if you
are not welcome there, it is still trespassing if you show up
uninvented.
This information is included in the description of
your Group.
¤ÞOl°ÞO=OI
If you are the Warden of a territory, it is your job
to make sure that the out-of-game rules of the Dreaming
are enforced. If combat is allowed in the location, you are
responsible for safety checking the weapons. (See this
weapon assembly and safety guide. The safety checklist is
on the last page.) If someone is fighting unsafely or
cheating, you should give them a yellow card. If they
continue to cheat or play in an unsafe manner, you give
them a red card to banish them from the area.
You do not need to actually present them a card.
You may simply inform them, "I am giving you a yellow
card because you've hit Jake in the face three times."
When issuing a card, be calm and professional, and don't
make a big scene of it.
If you banish a player with a red card, they must
leave the territory for the remainder of the night. After
several red card violations, you may choose to banish a
problematic players permanently. Please note that this
banishment is a penalty for breaking the game rules or
endangering other players, not for in-game disputes. You
shouldn't use this ability to banish your character's
enemies or people you don't like.

Territories http://dreamings.ning.com 33
ÞÞOI=°I=Þ I=||lIÞ|y
You may only be the Warden of one territory at a
time. You may contest someone else's title by challenging
them to a competition.
The competition may take any form that the
Warden agrees to. Generally, a challenge is issued a few
days before the tournament itself. If the Warden loses the
competition, ownership of that territory goes to the
victor. The Warden may also voluntarily bequeath the
territory to someone else.
Common forms of competition include the
following:
• chess matches
• foot races
• scavenger hunts
• dueling - you must win 5 of 7 bouts take
the territory
• eating or drinking contests
• public vote
l=|Il|lIy
A territory may be "fertile" or "infertile".
Some Astral Magic may only be cast if the
territory is fertile. These spells may create items or
resources valuable within the Dreaming.
In order to be Fertile, the territory must have
hosted an in-game gathering of at least 2 people on at
least 2 of the last 30 days.
ÞIOÞ°ÞÞ=|=
You can use lighting or music to enrich the
experience of the people who hang out in your territory.
Safe or Dangerous areas are often designated with red or
blue lights. Music should be non-intrusive and help build
the atmosphere you want to create.
Props and decorations can help set the tone, but
also can be a way to artistically augment a section of the
real world by creating features which might be found in a
dream.
lÞ|K|Þ|=
You're encouraged to develop the folklore and
mythology of your territory.
One method for developing folklore is to invent
local traditions. Traditional activities are great reasons for
people to gather in-game. You might tell people, "At least
once a month, we have to stand on the bridge and drop
rocks into the water to scare the river demon." As people
ask you questions about the river demon, you can ad-lib
answers, developing and nuancing the folklore of your
territory.
Your area might have certain superstitions, ("If
you sit under this tree at midnight, you'll be inspired.") or
inhabitants that are somehow always off-stage ("I've seen
these big winged creatures fly overhead some times." or,
"There's a dragon sleeping under this bar. You can hear
him snoring sometimes.")
Your area might have a particular history. You can
write a backstory for your region which gives it a certain
role within the Dreaming. For example, a haunted
territory may be the site of an ancient battle. A Feast Hall
may have had previous owners who taught some secret
recipes.
These stories are considered true as long as you
are the owner of the territory. If your territory becomes
part of a dream country, a Shaper may make your folklore
affect the game through use of the word Veritas. In
addition to keeping your folklore as an oral tradition, you
can post documents or information to your group page.
Folklore may build on the Dreaming's setting, or
other folklore, but should not directly contradict it. For
example, you can specify that the Goblins you encounter
in this territory have English accents, but you cannot
specify that all Goblins have English accents.
Territories are encouraged to collaborate and
participate in each other's background / folklore. Dream
characters do understand that the "reality" of these
backgrounds are somewhat localized. You can live in a
region where monsters have taken over the entire
Dreaming except your little cluster of territories, and if
you drive a few towns over, that's not necessarily true
anymore.
Territories http://dreamings.ning.com 34
rÞÞlÞ| N=IWÞ|KlOQ
After you've created a territory, there are two
things you should do to ensure that others can find it.
• Create / Manage a Group for your
territory on the Dreaming Social Networking site.
Be sure to include how to find the location and
when people tend to meet there. Indicate any safe
/ dangerous areas. If you are hosting an event
there, such as a Dream Walk, Ritual, or other
game activity, post about it in advance so that
people know where/when people are gathering.
• Go to the community map page and click
on the "Build This Map" tab. Add a push pin for
your location, and link it to your Group page.
If your territory changes hands, you must
promote the new Warden to administrator and then
demote yourself.
Dream Countries http://dreamings.ning.com 35
Dream Countries
Ô|=ÞO ÞÞUOI|l=°
A dream country is a group of territories which
have been ritually linked by the Unite Dream Country
oneiromancy. A Dream Country is governed by a
common ruler, called The Shaper, and a common set of
laws.
All dream countries have a group, which
participating Wardens must join.
vÞIlOQ
At times, the dream country may need to make a
decision about something. Decisions are made by a vote.
Each land holding within a dream country gets one vote.
To initiate a vote, you must start an event for that
topic. You should give at least a week notice, and try to
pick a time that as many people as possible can attend. At
least three quarters of the Wardens of the dream country
must agree to attend before the vote is considered
"official".
Voting must be held during live play at one of the
participating territories.
Be advised that people who don't want your voice
to be heard may try to knock you off before the vote!
Votes may be useful for numerous civic matters:
Votes may impose a law, remove a law, specify the penalty
for breaking a law, create a public office, or
appoint/remove someone to a public office.
As a default, a simple majority is necessary for a
vote to pass. Laws may be created which change this
threshold for certain matters. For example, a 75% majority
might be necessary to dethrone a Shaper.
The Shaper http://dreamings.ning.com 36
The Shaper
The Shaper is the titular ruler of a dream country.
A dream country may select or dethrone a shaper by
public vote.
The Shaper is addressed as "Lord Shaper", or
"Lady Shaper"
IÞ= rÞÞÞ=|° ÔUIl=°
The Shaper's job, in short, is to help the dream
country be interesting place. A shaper has special powers
which he can use within the dream country. These powers
are often used to enhance folklore, create challenges, or
incite drama.
Most Visions believe that the Dreaming is
healthier if it is filled with narrative. A shaper that unites
the dream country in peace actually harms the universe -
mortals from the Waking World will have gray lives if
their dreams have no color. A shaper might agitate or
inflame tension, or complicate otherwise simple events.
Not all narrative needs to be violent though - a shaper can
create traditions, activities, rumors, or other events that
people will talk about. As long as the Dreaming is filled
with stories, even if those stories are about people uniting
to overthrow the shaper, the shaper is doing a good job.
IÞ= rÞÞÞ=|° ÞÞW=|°
When the Shaper is in territories which are
members of his or her Dream Country, the shaper may
use the word Veritas to shape the Dreaming.
Possible uses include:
• building on Folklore. For example:
• "Veritas: a gnome lives in this
tree. If you put your ear up to it, you can
hear him working in his little gnome
shop, swearing occasionally."
• "Veritas: In this area, you can
sometimes hear a rumbling, deep beneath
the earth."
• creating game effects. For example:
• "Veritas: All of the sand on the
beach is burning hot. If you step off the
picnic benches or beach towels, you will
take 1 damage. If you can make it to the
parking lot, you're safe."
• A sign posted next to a door:
"Veritas: if you pass through this gate,
you will be in a cave, deep beneath the
earth. You may only enter and exit once.
When you exit, it will be as if you have
taken a full five minute rest."
• A sign posted on a tree: "Veritas:
once per night, if you are dead, you may
respawn while touching this tree."
• creating shades (ie NPCs) for a specific
purpose. For example:
• "Veritas: you are now a vision
who has lost her way. You are looking for
directions to the park next to the library -
you know your way from there. If anyone
escorts you there, you will inadvertently
lead them into an ambush."
• "Veritas: your name is Giovanni,
you are a traveling gypsy who likes to
trade. You have a bag full of knick knacks
and trinkets (a bunch of dollar store crap)
which you'll be happy to trade with
people. You love haggling. You've also
heard the following rumors..."
• creating monsters. For example:
• "Veritas: you are now an Adept.
Go hide in the park next to the library
and attack any Dreams that you see."
• "Veritas: you are now an Imp.
Pick a name for yourself. You have been
sent by your master, a Demon called
Verigoth. You are not hostile, and will
only attack if provoked. Try to convince
people that if they don't open the box,
more monsters will come. If nobody
opens the box in the next hour, come tell
me."
• creating artifacts. These cannot have
any special properties or powers, but may have
special significance to certain characters or races.
A Shaper may only maintain four artifacts at a
time. An artifact may be marked by an expiration
date, at which point the properties will fade. Some
examples of artifacts include:
• A card attached to a treasure
chest, which says "Veritas, you can hear a
faint humming within this box." If the
box is opened, you will see a paper inside
The Shaper http://dreamings.ning.com 37
which says, "Veritas: you have released a
monsterous shade which possesses you
immediately. Your stats are..."
• A card which goes with a piece
of amethyst. The card says "Veritas: This
is a beautiful and precious gemstone."
• A card which goes with a cloak.
The card says "Veritas: this is the cloak of
Arendel, a great Vision hero. It has been
passed down from vision to vision for a
decade."
• creating Dream Walks. The Shaper may
create adventures and other plotlines for people
to participate in. This may represent events in the
Dream Country or outside threats to it, often
from monsters. These events should be Archived,
but do not count for Resonance. There is no
treasure to be gained from these adventures
either, but they can impact future Dream Walks or
local folklore.
All of these effects expire immediately if the
Shaper who created them is dethroned. In-Game, these
effects are said to have "lost veracity" and ceased to be
true.
9=°I|lÞIlÞO° ÞO IÞ= U°ÞQ= Þl
v=|lIÞ°
• You cannot change what has already
happened. For example, "Veritas: Franz won the
election," or "Veritas: you didn't die during the
adventure."
• There are already combat rules and skills
- Veritas should not be used during combat or to
directly impact combat. For example, the Shaper
should not say "Veritas: All the Lost Souls die,"
"Veritas: The Flurry skill now grants you 5 attacks
instead of 3," or "Veritas: One of your daily skills
recharges."
• Although Veritas can be used to narrate
things which happen in the game, Veritas
shouldn't be used to create impossible situations
which can't be easily visualized. For example,
"Veritas: 300 troops march over the hill," "Veritas:
an imp follows you everywhere and records
everything you say in a notebook," or "Veritas: I
am flying above your head." Though the
Dreaming requires imagination, you should
endeavor to make the game require as little
imagination as possible. It is preferable to create a
Veritas effect by using props, costume, or other
special effects. Rather than saying, "Veritas: you
grow a pair of wings", you should be prepared to
provide a pair of wings the player can wear as a
prop. Never narrate when you can create an
experience.
• Veritas shouldn't be used unfairly. The
Shaper cannot use Veritas to defend himself or
his friends. The usage of Veritas should not
impact combat between players.
Dream Walks http://dreamings.ning.com 38
Dream Walks
Wv=|vl=W
A Dream Walk is a special event which happens
within the Dreaming. A group of Dreams may embark on
a Dream Walk together. A Dream Walk is kind of like a
holodeck - while you're on one, you might find yourself in
strange or dangerous places or situations.
In many Dream Walks, team work is often
necessary for survival. Dream Walks usually involve
traveling between a few different locations, so you'll want
a local spot where you're comfortable LARPing, such as a
park, forest, or friendly neighborhood. While on a Dream
Walk, you may face danger, interact with NPCs, or solve
puzzles. Other players will play the part of monsters or
other non-player characters you'll encounter on your
journey.
In the Dreaming, Dream Walks are thought of as
sacred journeys. One prepares for a Dream Walk like one
would prepare for a hunt or a trial. Some people take
them very seriously. If a Dream Walk is completed, it can
impact other events within the Dreaming. Dream Walks
are not meant to be easy - a Dream Walk that is
completed with little or no challenge is seen as a
disappointment.
The participants divide themselves into two
groups: the Party and the Guides. The Party are the
characters who are going on the Dream Walk. The Guides
are the ones who run the Dream Walk, playing the
monsters and other characters which may be encountered.
9=WÞ|Þ°
see also: Rewards
9=°ÞOÞOÞ=
Every character in the Dreaming may have a
Dreamstone, a stone with its own soul. As you go on
Dream Walks, you will begin to build a relationship with
your Dreamstone which will improve over time. Your
relationship is numerically represented by Resonance. If
your group completes the Dream Walk, you will get a
point of Resonance. You can spend Resonance to awaken
powers within your Dreamstone.
In order for a Dream Walk to "count", it must be
"Archived". This means that someone must post pictures,
video, or a story about the Dream Walk to the game's
central blog. People are encouraged to make their
narratives as colorful and interesting as possible.
Þ|ÞÞlvlOQ
Good Archiving prevent disputes about cheating.
If there ever is disagreement about whether or not
someone should have a certain power or item, there will
be a public record you can reference to prove that you
earned it. Likewise, when treasure is found, the tag must
be signed by all players present, thereby ensuring that it
was found during a legitimate game event.
Þ|ÞI |Ol|U=OÞ=
Dream Walks can make progress within the
game's plotlines. For example, there are 100 refugees
hidden on the war-torn realm of Faeire. An ongoing total
is kept of how many Fae are still trapped or rescued. Two
Dream Walks relevant to this plotline are available on the
Dreaming website. In one, you go to Faerie and fight your
way towards the refugees. If you succeed, you can rescue
two of them. But if you want to thwart the rescue, you
can go into the dangerous heart of the Dreaming and try
to shut the Fae gates. If people succeed on this, it seals
off 2 refugees from rescue. The plotline is completed
once all the refugees are returned or sealed away.
When you go on a Dream Walk, you may be
cooperating or competing with other Dreaming players
elsewhere in the world. You can communicate with them
via the game's website. You may develop friendships or
rivalries with characters you'll never actually play with in
person.
The game website hosts a central archive of
Dream Walks. Players can go on any Dream Walk for
which they meet the requirements. They simply print out
the Dream Walk PDF, distribute the roles to each other,
and then begin their journey.
Players may write Dream Walks and submit them
to be rated by others. In this manner, players help
generate the ongoing content for the game.
Þ|ÞylOQ Þ Ô|=ÞO ÞÞ|K
If you'd like to go on a Dream Walk, print out its
Dream Walks http://dreamings.ning.com 39
script from the Internet. Gather up a group of people in
the Dreaming to assist you with the adventure. There may
be parts of the Dream Walk marked "HIDDEN" - do not
read these pages! You will discover what happens on the
Dream Walk as it takes place.
Divide everyone into two groups: the Party and
the Guides. The Guides will go off-stage. During the
Dream Walk, they may play monsters or NPCs, set up
physical challenges, or hide scavenger hunt items. When
the Dream Walk is over, the Guides may go back to
playing their regular characters.
The Dream Walk consists of several scenes, or
encounters. Generally, each page of the Dream Walk is
instructions for a different scene. During the Dream Walk,
you'll have to find different places for each scene, and this
may require walking around or exploring the area in which
you're playing. The Guides have the final say on where
each scene will take place.
If the Party completes the scene, typically by
solving whatever challenge they've been presented with,
they can move on to the next one. If they fail, perhaps
because everyone was knocked unconscious, the Dream
Walk is over. In the event of a party wipe, if the Dream
Walk is Archived, all the Guides gain a point of
Resonance but the Party does not.
9=ÞÞlOQ Þ Ô|=ÞO ÞÞ|K
Each Dream Walk has certain conditions which
must be met in order to begin. The first page describes
the Dream Walk, the minimum number of people needed,
how many people will be needed to play Guides, and any
other special set-up or prerequisites needed to begin. It
also should mention any special rewards that you get for
completing the adventure.
The following pages each describe an encounter.
Before the encounter begins, you may need to set up
certain things. For example, you might have to draw
circles on the ground which represent special zones or
respawn points. You may do this before beginning the
Dream Walk, or prior to the encounter. If the set-up is
simple, the Guides will generally do it themselves, but they
may ask for help from the Party.
9UOOlOQ Þ Ô|=ÞO ÞÞ|K
If you are one of the Guides for the Dream
Walk, you will be running the adventure for your fellow
players. If the Dream Walk is Archived, you will gain
Resonance whether the party succeeded or failed. In trade,
you have to do your best to make the Dream Walk
challenging and fun.
If all the Guides agree, they are allowed to make
minor additions to the Dream Walk script which involve
puzzles and roleplaying. For example, if the Dream Walk
is about rescuing Fae from Faerie, the players might be
sent on the adventure by a Fae who is desperate to find
her son. She explains where the players need to go and
what they need to do to find him.
Or perhaps in order to find the way, the players
will have to collect six fragments of a sketch of their
destination. Only by assembling the pieces will they know
where the next encounter takes place. The pieces might be
found by searching Monsters which the players fight
during the Dream Walk, or by searching around the
current encounter area.
Props, music, and monster costumes are other
ways to spice up the Dream Walk. You might play fight
music during combat encounters, or tense music if they
are racing against a time limit. The bottom line is that
your job is to ensure the Party's experience is as rich and
fun as possible.
Do not hand victory to the party, but don't make
the Dream Walk unwinnable either. It's okay to "fight
down" when facing an opponent of significantly less skill
than you. But remember that the feeling of victory only
comes from overcoming a challenge, so don't be a
pushover!
for a list of Dream Walks,
see the dreaming website
Astral Magic http://dreamings.ning.com 40
Astral Magic
Astral Magic is the art of manipulating Dreaming
itself. Astral Magic Rituals are ceremonies which
characters may perform to produce certain effects. These
are often referred to as Astral Magic Spells, or simply
Rituals.
To cast a ritual, you must gather a specified
number of people and then perform an action of some
sort. These actions are generally up to you - you may
script an elaborate ritual, or merely chant quietly to
yourself. While you are casting, it must be apparent to any
observer that you are casting a spell. The Ritual may have
specific activities or components necessary to cast the
spell. Some spells require you to concentrate. If you lose
consciousness during the casting, the spell fails.
There are two categories of Astral Magic Spells:
Dreamscaping Rituals create a territory for
game play. Each territory may have an owner, called a
Warden. Territories may not overlap, and may not be any
larger than a city block. (a little under 3 acres, or 100,000
square feet) See also: Territories.
Oneiromancy must be cast in a territory created
by a Dreamscaping Ritual. They can effect characters or
the game itself in numerous ways.
Astral Magic http://dreamings.ning.com 41
Ô|=ÞO°ÞÞÞlOQ 9lIUÞ|°
Þ|=OÞ
Arena
Dreamscaping Ritual
Casting
Requirements:
none
Typical
Location:
Public parks. Places with a stage.
Anywhere that boffer fighting does not
disturb the dream.
Action to Cast: All ritual participants must remain
in the area for an hour. During this time
they must spar, duel, and otherwise
challenge each other. Suggested: The
Warden may host a combat tournament
which takes at least half an hour.
Methods to
Challenge:
Dueling (5 out of 7), foot race
Effect
This area is now a Combat Arena. The Warden may host
duels or tournaments, and may bestow blessings to the victors. The
Warden gets the following powers:
Master of
Ceremonies
Passiv
e
While you are in your arena, you
may turn a willing target into a shade which
can compete in arena duels. You may choose
the shade's stats, but the shade can only fight
someone who has agreed to duel it.
Champion's
Boon
Daily
When someone wins a duel which
you observe, you may bestow them 1 bonus
skill. They must select this skill from their
class list. Someone may only benefit from
the Champion's Boon once per day. The skill
disappears at 6 AM.
Astral Magic http://dreamings.ning.com 42
Þ=|lÞ|OÞOÞ= OÞ||
Performance Hall
Dreamscaping Ritual
Casting
Requirements:
none
Typical
Location:
musical venue, any place where
music is played
Action to Cast: A live performance which lasts at
least 30 minutes. There must be at least 2
people in the audience. During this time
they must perform or watch performances.
Music and spoken word are the most
common types of performances.
Methods to
Challenge:
Effect
This territory is now a Performance Hall. The Warden of the
area gets the following powers:
Cheers Daily
At the end of a performance which
lasted at least 5 minutes, the people in the
audience are bestowed with one bonus health
to their maximum. Someone may only
benefit from this reward once per day. The
health disappears at 6 AM.
Tip The Man Daily
When someone puts on a
performance which lasts at least 5 minutes,
you may bestow the performer 1 bonus skill.
They must select this skill from their class
list. Someone may only benefit from this
reward once per day. The skill disappears at
6 AM.
Astral Magic http://dreamings.ning.com 43
l=Þ°I OÞ||
Feast Hall
Dreamscaping Ritual
Casting
Requirements:
none
Typical
Location:
Restaurant, Kitchen
Action to Cast: All participants must remain in the
area for at least an hour. During this time
they must consume food or drink.
Methods to
Challenge:
Effect
This area is now a Feast Hall. The Warden of the area gets the
following powers:
Cheers Daily
At the end of a meal, anyone who has
consumed food or drink may make a toast.
Everyone involved is bestowed with one
bonus health. Someone may only benefit
from this reward once per day. The health
disappears at 6 AM.
Astral Magic http://dreamings.ning.com 44
OÞUOI
Haunt
Dreamscaping Ritual
Casting Requirements: none
Typical Location: The woods at night, spooky places
Action to Cast: The ritual participants must remain
in the area for an hour.
Methods to Challenge:
Effect
This territory is now Haunted. A Haunt must always be
"dangerous". The Warden of the area gets the following powers:
Beckon
Shade
passive
You may bestow someone with the
following ability:
• Surrender to Possession:
You may wander off-stage and turn
into a Shade. The Warden of the
Haunt may choose yours stats, but is
not in control of you. Your
motivation is to attack any Dream in
the Haunt. If possible, you should
ambush and attack from hiding. You
may respawn three times.
Bolster the Hero
If someone has dealt a death blow to
three shades, they may seek your boon. You
may bestow them with the following ability:
• Spirit Boon: Touch a packet
to yourself and say "Heal 10 to self."
This can only be used once. If it is
not used by 6 AM, it disappears. You
may not have more than one of these
boons at a time.
Astral Magic http://dreamings.ning.com 45
WO=l|ÞOÞOÞy
Þ°Þ=° Þl IÞ= ÞÞÞ=OlK
Ashes of the Phoenix
Astral Ritual
Description: Someone is ritually sacrificed and
phases out for one hour. Before they next phase
in, they may reassign their class and skills, or
create a new character. They may also choose to
resurrect as a previous character.
Casting
Requirements:
2 people. This ritual must be cast within
three days of a new moon. This ritual may only
be cast on someone once per new moon.
Action to Cast: After preparing the ritual for at least 10
minutes, one person will sacrifice another. The
entire ritual must last at least 10 minutes, and
may include any action which prepares for the
sacrifice. The sacrifice itself is a death-blow
delivered to the victim's torso. After the
sacrifice, the sacrificer must say the words
"May you rise from your ashes." If these magic
words are not spoken, the ritual will not work
and the target will be killed (most brutally)
instead. This is said to be an extremely painful
way to die.
Effect
The victim of the sacrifice will "phase in" in one hour. When
they return, they may have reassigned their class and skills, created a
new character, or resurrected as a previous character. If the magic
words were not spoken after the sacrifice, the victim remains dead as
if he was killed normally.
Astral Magic http://dreamings.ning.com 46
|ÞOÞ O=K
Land Hex
Astral Ritual
Description: This spell will place a hex on the
territory in which it is cast. The area is
filled with Void energy which prevents the
casting of Astral Magic. The Warden of the
territory may conjure monsters which
represent this energy. Once a certain
number of monsters are defeated, the hex
ends.
Casting Requirements: 1 person. This must be cast in a
dangerous area. May not be cast in a
territory which is currently hexed.
Action to Cast: You must draw a hexagon on the
ground and stand within it while casting
this ritual. You must spend 10 minutes
concentrating roleplaying the casting of the
ritual. This may include actions such as
pouring salt or blood on the ground,
destroying art, or making horrible noises. It
must be clear to anyone observing you that
you are casting a spell. At the very
minimum, you must continue waving your
hands in circular motions.
Effect
You may create a "curse card", which must be given or
delivered to the Warden. The card indicates that no Astral Magic may
be cast at this location until 20 monsters are defeated. The Warden
gains the following power:
Beckon
Shade
passive
You may bestow someone with the
following ability:
• Surrender to Possession:
You may wander off-stage and turn
into a Shade. You may build your
shade as an Adept. Your motivation is
to attack any Dream in the Haunt. If
possible, you should ambush and
attack from hiding. You may respawn
three times.
Astral Magic http://dreamings.ning.com 47
OÞ|v=°I
Harvest
Astral Ritual
Description: This spell creates a Resource Tag of the
type "Quicksilver", "Cold Iron", or "Spirit Silk".
Casting
Requirements:
This must be cast in a territory which is
fertile. It must be cast by the Warden of that
territory. Casting this spell will make the
territory infertile for 30 days. (please note the
this on your group page). The caster of this spell
may not cast Harvest again for 30 days, even if
they do it in a fertile territory. This restriction is
not lifted by switch characters through an Ashes
of the Phoenix spell.
Action to Cast: You must spend at least 10 minutes
roleplaying the casting of the ritual. This may
include actions such as digging, searching, or
otherwise locating the resource somewhere
within the territory.
Effect
You may print out and sign a Resource Tag for "Quicksilver",
"Cold Iron", or "Spirit Silk".
OÞv= Þ|IÞ|
Move Altar
Astral Ritual
Description: A Dead God relocates his or her altar.
Casting
Requirements:
The caster must be a Dead God. The
caster must have an icon. This is a symbolic
representation of the Dead God, which could
include a painted symbol, a photograph or other
piece of art, a doll, or a holy artifact. This ritual
may only be cast on an altar once per day.
Action to Cast: The Dead God must spend five minutes
at the old altar, during which time it should be
cleaned and any icons should be removed. The
god then travels to the new spot for the altar,
and spends five minutes creating it. The creation
should involve placing or creating an icon in
that location. Any of the God's followers should
be performing the God's prayer or litany.
Effect
The God's altar is relocated.
Astral Magic http://dreamings.ning.com 48
lÞ|Q= Þ=ÞÞÞO
Forge Weapon
Astral Ritual
Description: This spell creates a Weapon Tag of the
type "Silver", "Iron", or "Essence".
Casting
Requirements:
You must spend four identical types of
currency.
• If four pieces of Quicksilver are
spent, the weapon type will be "Silver".
• If four pieces of Cold Iron are
spent, the weapon type will be "Iron".
• If four pieces of Spirit Silk are
spent, the weapon type will be
"Essence".
Action to Cast: You must spend at least 10 minutes
roleplaying the casting of the ritual. This may
include actions such as hammering on the
weapon, etching it with runes, or otherwise
enchanting it. At the end of the spell, you must
tear up the Resource Tags used in casting.
Effect
You may print out and sign a Weapon Tag which should be
attached to a weapon prop.
Astral Magic http://dreamings.ning.com 49
lÞ|Q= ÞÞOÞ
Forge Wand
Astral Ritual
Description: This spell creates a Wand Tag of the type
"Silver", "Iron", or "Essence".
Casting
Requirements:
You must spend four identical types of
currency.
• If four pieces of Quicksilver are
spent, the wand type will be "Silver".
• If four pieces of Cold Iron are
spent, the wand type will be "Iron".
• If four pieces of Spirit Silk are
spent, the wand type will be "Essence".
Action to Cast: You must spend at least 10 minutes
roleplaying the casting of the ritual. This may
include actions such as waving the wand over a
flame, etching it with runes, or otherwise
enchanting it. At the end of the spell, you must
tear up the Resource Tags used in casting.
Effect
You may print out and sign a Wand Tag which should be
attached to a suitable prop.

Astral Magic http://dreamings.ning.com 50
UOlI= Ô|=ÞO ÞÞUOI|y
Unite Dream
Country
Astral Ritual
Description: This spell unites a number of territories
into the same nation, called a dream country.
Territories within a dream country have a
common set of laws, and a common ruler, called
a Shaper. See also: Dream Countries, The
Shaper.
Casting
Requirements:
This spell must be cast by a minimum of
five Wardens, each of which must own a
territory within the dream country. This ritual
must be cast in every territory which wishes to
join. The Warden of the territory must
participate in the casting.
When the dream country is first
founded, this ritual must be cast in at a
minimum of five territories within 5 days.
Additional territories may join at a later date by
casting the ritual in those places. At least five
participants must be present for each casting.
All dream countries have a name, and a
flag or symbol. This must be prepared prior to
the first casting of this ritual.
Action to Cast: The casters decorate the territory with
the the dream country's symbol or flag. The
Warden of the territory must deliver a short
speech in which he or she dedicates his territory
to the dream country. Each dream country may
have a traditional action such as a toast or
pledge, which should be performed as well.
Effect
The territory in which this is cast is now part of a Dream
Country. This ritual can also be used to remove a territory from a
dream country. In this usage, the ritual is called "Recede from
Dream Country".
How to Make a Dreaming Character http://dreamings.ning.com 51
How to Make a
Dreaming Character
Þ=|ÞÞO= IÞ IÞ= Ô|=ÞOlOQ
We would love it if you'd join us in the Dream
World.
There are two components of the Dreaming:
1. The Aether: the social-networking site.
You will post to http://dreamings.ning.com as
your Dreaming persona. A lot of the content you
post to the site will come from your actions in the
live game.
2. The Live Game: getting up from your
keyboard and having unique experiences in 3D
Meatspace (the "real world"). This may involve
meeting other Dreaming characters, and going on
adventures called Dream Walks together.
For most people, this second one will take a
measure of willpower. You must be open to having
adventures and breaking the routine of your everyday life.
You must be willing to explore and play in our mutually-
sustained dream world.
OÞW ÞÞ | OÞK= Þ ÞÞÞ|ÞÞI=|
1. come up with a character concept.
2. pick a Dreaming Race. Each race has a
unique skill or feature which you get
automatically. You get to pick two Dreaming Race
Skills. Enter this choice on your profile.
3. pick a Dreaming Class. Each class has a
few skills available. You will choose five of them.
Skills marked "Encounter" can be recharged by
resting for five minutes. Skills marked "Daily"
recharge at 6 AM. Skills marked "Passive" are
always active, or can be used whenever you'd like.
Paste these skills in your profile.
You may only choose each skill once.
You have 5 health, but skills can add more.
ÞÞÞI ll OÞÞÞÞy° lO Oy Þ|=Þ
We hope that eventually, many cities will have a
Dreaming community. Most communities will begin as a
few isolated players going on Single Player Dream Walks.
Single Player Dream Walks are a way you can engage the
Dreaming without playing with other people. We
encourage you to help build a community in your area by
finding new players and hosting game activities.
Character Creation: Character Concept http://dreamings.ning.com 52
Character Creation:
Character Concept
When making a character or persona for a role
playing game, the first step is coming up with a character
concept. This is a tool to guide your interactions with
others, and to help you get inside your character's head.
You are essentially creating an alter-ego, a second
identity for yourself. Since you'll be spending a lot of time
as this new person, be sure that it's someone you enjoy
being!
The best Dreaming characters are memorable.
You might pick a particular quirk, prop, or attitude that
will characterize your interactions with others. Perhaps
you are prejudiced against certain game races, or have a
short temper. Or maybe you act in a certain way which
makes you stick out in others' minds and stories.
Some people support their character concept with
costume or accessories. You might dress a certain way or
carry something that summarizes your character's
personality. Perhaps your character carries a certain book
everywhere, or is always playing with a coin. Maybe she
has a particular pair of sunglasses which have a lot of
character. These things will help others get a clear picture
of who you are.
Most of the stories in the Dreaming are
generated by you and your fellow players. Your experience
within the game world is largely based on where you want
to steer it. Do not be afraid to make enemies and engage
in tension with other characters. The most boring
characters are the ones that are liked by everybody. By
creating drama between yourself and other players, you
help fill the Dreaming with narratives and stories,
enriching the game for everybody. The key is to remain
friendly with your fellow players, even if your characters do
not get along.
As you read over the description of your
Dreaming Race, try to form an idea of who you will be in
this world. Experiment talking in your character's voice, or
thinking your character's thoughts. Your character can be
a fun escape from the Waking World, especially if you play
a character which resonates in interesting ways with you
and your friends.
Character Creation: Classes http://dreamings.ning.com 53
Character Creation: Classes
=UÞ|ÞlÞO
Guardian
A guardian is a warrior who specializes in defense. They make great guards and are adept at
holding a position or keeping someone else alive.
Skills
Martial Styles
Passive
You may use a shield or two handed
weapon.
Flurry
Encounter
You get three melee attacks which
each do 2 damage.
Parry
Encounter
You may call "parry" and not take the
effects of one melee attack.
Hold The
Line
Encounter
Draw a line on the ground up to ten
feet in length, or gesture at an existing one
which you are standing next to. Announce
"Do not cross this line," to your opponents.
You gain two melee attacks for "3 damage"
which you may use against anyone who
crosses that line. If you break line-of-sight of
the line, this ability ends.
On Your Feet
Daily
If an ally is knocked unconscious,
you may saying "On your feet", then touch
the target and say "5 heal".
Assault Point
Daily
Create a circular zone up to 10 feet in
diameter. While you stand in this circle, all
your numeric called attacks deal an
additional point of damage.
Fortitude
Daily
You may call "resist" and not take the
effects of any attack which includes the
poison or knockout calls.
Toughness
Passive
Your maximum health is raised by 2.
Character Creation: Classes http://dreamings.ning.com 54
Guard Post Encounter
Create a circular zone up to 10 feet in
diameter. While you stand in this circle, you
have two uses of the skill parry.
Take A
Breath
Encounter
You must stand still and concentrate
for 30 seconds. At the end of this count, you
may say "I caught my breath. Refresh <x>
and heal 3 to self." You may refresh one
encounter skill, which you must name out
loud. You may not refresh Take a Breath in
this way.

Character Creation: Classes http://dreamings.ning.com 55
r|Þy=|
Slayer
A slayer specializes in big game hunting. They are great at focusing in on one target and
defeating it.
Skills
Martial Styles Passive
You may use a shield or two handed
weapon.
Flurry Encounter
You get three melee attacks which
each do 2 damage.
Nemesis Encounter
Point at a target and say "You are my
nemesis". All your called damage against
that target does +1 damage. This ends if you
or the nemesis is knocked out.
The Will To
Win
Encounter
If your nemesis has damaged you,
you may concentrate for three seconds while
wiping the sweat off your brow and say
"heal 5 to self".
Slay Daily
You get one melee attack which deals
6 damage. It must be used against a target
you have designated with the Nemesis skill.
Fortitude Daily
You may call "resist" and not take the
effects of any attack which includes the
poison or knockout calls.
Toughness Passive
Your maximum health is raised by 2.
Take A
Breath
Encounter
You must stand still and concentrate
for 30 seconds. At the end of this count, you
may say "I caught my breath. Refresh <x>
and heal 3 to self." You may refresh one
encounter skill, which you must name out
loud. You may not refresh Take a Breath in
this way.
Character Creation: Classes http://dreamings.ning.com 56
Just You
And Me
Encounter
When you have declared someone as
your nemesis, you may say "It's just you and
me." You gain 2 parries you may use against
your nemesis' melee attacks. If you swing at
someone other than your nemesis, this effect
ends.
Character Creation: Classes http://dreamings.ning.com 57
Þ°°Þ°°lO
Assassin
An assassin is a maneuverable rogue who specializes in taking down big targets and then
running away.
Skills
Two Weapon
Styles
Passive
You may use a short weapon in one
hand and a long weapon in the other hand.
Sidestep
Encounter
You may call "sidestep" and not take
the effects of any one packet attack.
Flank
Attack
Encounter
You gain three melee attacks for
which you may call "3 damage". To deliver
them, you must be directly behind your
opponent and able to see both of their
shoulder blades.
Back Off
Encounter
You may use a melee weapon to call
"push" against one target.
Poison
Daily
You must spend 10 seconds
roleplaying that you are coating a melee
weapon with poison. The next attack
delivered with that weapon deals 10 poison
damage. If you miss, or the weapon leaves
your hand, the poison is expended.
Blackjack
Daily
You gain a melee attack which will
"knockout" your opponent. This attack must
be delivered with a small weapon. You must
be directly behind your target and able to see
both of their shoulder blades.
Precision
Daily
Say, "I see a flaw in your defenses!"
while pointing at a target. You may now
deliver your next two Flank Attacks from the
front. If you have not used both attacks
before your next rest, this skill is expended.
Toughness
Passive
Your maximum health is raised by 2.
Character Creation: Classes http://dreamings.ning.com 58
Take A
Breath
Encounter
You must stand still and concentrate
for 30 seconds. At the end of this count, you
may say "I caught my breath. Refresh <x>
and heal 3 to self." You may refresh one
encounter skill, which you must name out
loud. You may not refresh Take a Breath in
this way.

Character Creation: Classes http://dreamings.ning.com 59
rKl|Ol°Þ=|
Skirmisher
A skirmisher is a melee combatant who does best when out numbered. They specialize in
moving around the battlefield and hitting different targets.
Skills
Two Weapon
Styles
Passive
You may use a short weapon in one
hand and a long weapon in the other hand.
Flank
Attack
Encounter
You gain three melee attacks for
which you may call "3 damage". To deliver
them, you must be directly behind your
opponent and able to see both of their
shoulder blades.
Sidestep
Encounter
You may call "sidestep" and not take
the effects of any one packet attack.
Back Off
Encounter
You may use a melee weapon to call
"push" against one target.
Hit And
Run
Encounter
You get one melee attack for 2
damage. If it lands and your opponent
doesn't negate it with a defense, you gain an
attack for 3 damage which you must use
against a different target. If this lands, and
your opponent doesn't negate it with a
defense, you gain an attack for 4 damage
which you must use against a different target
from the first two. If there are no enemies
visible, Hit and Run ends.
Finish The
Job
Daily
If you have already damaged an
opponent and have since damaged another
target, you gain one melee attack for 6
damage you may use against the original
target.
Toughness
Passive
Your maximum health is raised by 2.
Character Creation: Classes http://dreamings.ning.com 60
Take A
Breath
Encounter
You must stand still and concentrate
for 30 seconds. At the end of this count, you
may say "I caught my breath. Refresh <x>
and heal 3 to self." You may refresh one
encounter skill, which you must name out
loud. You may not refresh Take a Breath in
this way.

Character Creation: Classes http://dreamings.ning.com 61
Þ|ÞÞ=|
Archer
An archer uses ranged weapons like bows to snipe their enemies from afar.
Skills
Bow Use Passive
You may use a bow. Your arrows are
spell packets with 12" of ribbon attached to
the end. They may be blocked by a weapon
or shield. Your bow will come unstrung after
you fire six shots, or after it is hit with a
weapon. You must spend 5 seconds
concentrating while roleplaying that you are
restringing it before you may fire again.
Foot Shot Encounter
You may shoot an arrow with the
effect "Roots for 10 seconds"
Sharp Shot Encounter
You gain 3 arrow attacks which deal
"2 damage" each.
Camp Encounter
You may create a circular zone up to
ten feet in diameter. When you are standing
in that zone, all of your called damage
attacks deal +1 damage.
Bullseye Daily
If you are standing in your Camp, or
your target is in your Ambush Point, you
may shoot an arrow at them for 6 damage.
Ambush Point Daily
You may create a circular zone up to
ten feet in diameter. When someone is
standing in it, you regular arrow attacks
against them deal 2 damage. If your arrow
hits someone outside of the circle, the zone
drops immediately.
Toughness Passive
Your maximum health is raised by 2.
Take A
Breath
Encounter
You must stand still and concentrate
for 30 seconds. At the end of this count, you
may say "I caught my breath. Refresh <x>
and heal 3 to self." You may refresh one
encounter skill, which you must name out
loud. You may not refresh Take a Breath in
this way.
Character Creation: Classes http://dreamings.ning.com 62
rÞ|Þ=|=|
Sorcerer
Sorcerers specialize in dropping their opponents using magical ranged attacks.
Skills
Ice Shards
Encounter
Evocation - Say an incantation of at
least 30 words. You gain six spell packets
which each do "1 ice". You may not activate
any other Evocation spells until these attacks
are spent. You may also deactivate this spell
at will, but any remaining charges are lost. If
an attack misses, it is not expended. If the
opponent does not acknowledge the attack
through roleplay, or by calling a defense, this
spell is not expended.
Flame bolt
Encounter
Evocation - Say an incantation of at
least 30 words. You gain three spell packets
which each do "2 flame". You may not
activate any other Evocation spells until
these attacks are spent. You may also
deactivate this spell at will, but any
remaining charges are lost. If an attack
misses, it is not expended. If the opponent
does not acknowledge the attack through
roleplay, or by calling a defense, this spell is
not expended.
Roots
Encounter
You may say "I root your feet to the
ground" and throw a spell packet at your
target.
Lightning Bolt
Daily
Say an incantation of at least 30
words. You gain 1 spell packet which does
"6 shock". You may not activate any other
Evocation spells until these attacks are spent.
You may also deactivate this spell at will,
but any remaining charges are lost. If an
attack misses, it is not expended. If the
opponent does not acknowledge the attack
through roleplay, or by calling a defense, this
spell is not expended.
Toughness
Passive
Your maximum health is raised by 2.
Take A
Breath
Encounter
You must stand still and concentrate
for 30 seconds. At the end of this count, you
may say "I caught my breath. Refresh <x>
and heal 3 to self." You may refresh one
encounter skill, which you must name out
loud. You may not refresh Take a Breath in
this way.
Character Creation: Classes http://dreamings.ning.com 63
Tanglefoot Encounter
Evocation - Say an incantation of at
least 30 words. You gain two spell packet
attacks which each do "slow". You may not
activate any other Evocation spells until
these attacks are spent. You may also
deactivate this spell at will, but any
remaining charges are lost. If an attack
misses, it is not expended. If the opponent
does not acknowledge the attack through
roleplay, or by calling a defense, this spell is
not expended.
Character Creation: Classes http://dreamings.ning.com 64
rÞÞOÞO
Shaman
Shaman do not have many offensive abilities, but they use zones and status effects to aid and
protect their allies.
Skills
Tanglefoot Encounter
Evocation - Say an incantation of at
least 30 words. You gain two spell packet
attacks which each do "slow". You may not
activate any other Evocation spells until
these attacks are spent. You may also
deactivate this spell at will, but any
remaining charges are lost. If an attack
misses, it is not expended. If the opponent
does not acknowledge the attack through
roleplay, or by calling a defense, this spell is
not expended.
Water of
Healing
Encounter
Evocation - Say an incantation of at
least 30 words. You gain six spell packet
attacks which each may "heal". You may not
activate any other Evocation spells until
these charges are spent. You may also
deactivate this spell at will, but any
remaining charges are lost. If the packet
misses, the charge is not expended.
Disarm Encounter
You may say "I disarm your
<target>" where <target> is "right hand" or
"left hand" and throw a spell packet at your
target.
Circle Of
Force
Daily
You may create a circular zone up to
ten feet in diameter. Touch the circle with a
spell packet and say "I enchant this circle to
be impassable." No one may cross the
borders of the circle while the spell is active.
You may touch the circle and say "circle
down" to end the effect. The circle also
lowers if you are leave line of sight of the
circle or lose consciousness. It will last a
maximum of one hour.
Circle of
Healing
Daily
You may create a circular zone up to
ten feet in diameter. Touch the circle with a
spell packet and say "I enchant this circle
with healing". You gain a packet which has
the effect "heal 3", delivered by touch. You
may only use it when you are inside the
circle. If you concentrate for 60 seconds, this
packet recharges.
Character Creation: Classes http://dreamings.ning.com 65
Mystic
Lasso
Encounter
You may say "I bind your arms to
your sides", and throw a spell packet at your
target.
Dispel Daily
This spell can be used in one of two
ways: to dispel a zone, or cure an ongoing
effect.
• To dispel a zone, you may
touch the edge of a zone effect with a
spell packet and say "dispel zone" to
end its effects. If there are multiple
spells cast on the same zone, this
spell removes all of them.
• To cure an effect, you may
touch your target and say "dispel
<x>", where <x> can be "roots",
"evocation", or "slow".
Toughness Passive
Your maximum health is raised by 2.
Take A
Breath
Encounter
You must stand still and concentrate
for 30 seconds. At the end of this count, you
may say "I caught my breath. Refresh <x>
and heal 3 to self." You may refresh one
encounter skill, which you must name out
loud. You may not refresh Take a Breath in
this way.
Character Creation: Classes http://dreamings.ning.com 66
rUOOÞO=|
Summoner
The summoner may turn Wakes into Shades.
Skills
Summon
Shade
Encounter
If a character has died and they have
become a wake, and the wake is still in the
area, you may approach and ask if they
consent to being a Shade under your
command. If they agree, you may create
them as an Imp.
The imp is under your control, and
you may issue it basic commands. ("wait
here", "follow me", "attack", "guard this
area", etc) The imp will try to defend and
protect you, and will attack anyone who
attacks you. The imp must remain in your
line-of-sight, and dies if you are knocked
unconscious or it leaves your line-of-sight
for more than ten seconds.
This skill may only be used on non-
players (who may want to give the game a
try without making a character) or players
whose characters are dead. It cannot be used
on living characters. You may only create
one Shade at a time. The Shade may not
choose Daily skills or any skill which allows
them to summon shades (ie, this one).
Mystic
Lasso
Encounter
You may say "I bind your arms to
your sides", and throw a spell packet at your
target.
Gust of
Wind
Encounter
Evocation - Say an incantation of at
least 30 words. You gain three spell packets
which each do "push". You may not activate
any other Evocation spells until these attacks
are spent. You may also deactivate this spell
at will, but any remaining charges are lost. If
an attack misses, it is not expended. If the
opponent does not acknowledge the attack
through roleplay, or by calling a defense, this
spell is not expended.
Toughness
Passive
Your maximum health is raised by 2.
Character Creation: Classes http://dreamings.ning.com 67
Water of
Healing
Encounter
Evocation - Say an incantation of at
least 30 words. You gain six spell packet
attacks which each may "heal". You may not
activate any other Evocation spells until
these charges are spent. You may also
deactivate this spell at will, but any
remaining charges are lost. If the packet
misses, the charge is not expended.
Tanglefoot Encounter
Evocation - Say an incantation of at
least 30 words. You gain two spell packet
attacks which each do "slow". You may not
activate any other Evocation spells until
these attacks are spent. You may also
deactivate this spell at will, but any
remaining charges are lost. If an attack
misses, it is not expended. If the opponent
does not acknowledge the attack through
roleplay, or by calling a defense, this spell is
not expended.
Roots Encounter
You may say "I root your feet to the
ground" and throw a spell packet at your
target.
Take A
Breath
Encounter
You must stand still and concentrate
for 30 seconds. At the end of this count, you
may say "I caught my breath. Refresh <x>
and heal 3 to self." You may refresh one
encounter skill, which you must name out
loud. You may not refresh Take a Breath in
this way.
Character Creation: Race Skills http://dreamings.ning.com 68
Character Creation: Race Skills
vl°lÞO
Sunder the
Dreaming
Daily
You may rip open the Dreaming,
preventing anyone from passing the rift.
Draw a line on the ground, or indicate one
which is a maximum of 10 feet long. Say
"Veritas - as long as I am within ten feet of
this line, no one can step over it." Ranged
attacks may still cross the rift, and you can
swing a weapon over it, but no character
may step over it. You may seal the rift at any
time by pointing at the rift and stating "Zone
down".
Phasing Daily
You may vanish from the Dreaming
and enter the minds of wakes. To do this,
you must stare at the sky and concentrate for
1 minute. At the end of this time, you may
say "I phase out", and remove your game
badge or arm band. At any time, you may
phase back in by putting your arm back or
game badge back on and saying "I phase in.
Drain to self". After you do this, you are still
somewhat ethereal for a short time. You may
not take any game actions until you have
concentrated for 1 minute. At the end of this
count, say "Dispel drain to self"
Shape the
Wound Away
Encount
er
You may say, "Veritas: your wounds
vanish, 5 heal", and touch a packet to your
target.
Shape the
Blade
Encounter
You may touch a packet to a weapon
and say, "I Bestow this weapon's next called
damage to be X", where X is Silver, Iron, or
Essence. For example, if the person's next
attack dealt "2 damage", it could now deal "2
iron damage". If this bestowment isn't used,
it fades away at 6 AM. You may not use this
ability again until the previous bestowment
has faded.
Character Creation: Race Skills http://dreamings.ning.com 69
lÞ=
Portal to
Faerie
Daily
You may cause a door to open up into
the realm of Fae. You and your friends will
be safe on Faerie, but only for an hour. You
may attach a card to the entrance to a room
which reads: "VERITAS: Portal to Faerie.
You may only enter if your name is on this
list: ______" You may then fill in the names
of anyone you want. A portal to faerie will
only last for one hour, and then the room
becomes the Dreaming again.
Inconspicuous
Glamour
Dail
y
You tricksy Fae spirit may hide itself,
leaving behind only a wake. Once per day,
while sitting down, you may say "I fade out
1, I fade out 2, I fade out 3", while removing
your arm band or game badge. You are now
a wake, and are not affected by anything
within the game. If you must stand up or
move from that spot for any reason, you
must return to game by saying "I fade in 1, I
fade in 2, I fade in 3", while putting your
arm band or game badge back on.
Hideous
Glamour
Encounte
r
You may say "Behold my hideous
form, push" and throw a packet at a target
Healing
Glamour
Encounter
You may say, "That doesn't look so
bad, 5 heal", and touch a packet to your
target.
Luck of the
Ffolke
Daily
If you have the skill Parry, Sidestep,
or Fortitude, you may use it an additional
time.

Character Creation: Race Skills http://dreamings.ning.com 70
Ô=ÞÞ =ÞÞ
Common
Prayer
Encounter
Put your hand on the head of an ally
who is kneeling before you. Say "Refresh 1
encounter skill." If this skill is used at your
altar, you may target two people with it. The
Common Prayer may not be refreshed in this
manner.
Daily Prayer Daily
Put your hand on the head of an ally
who is kneeling before you. Say "Refresh 1
daily skill." If this skill is used at your altar,
you may target two people with it. The Daily
Prayer may not be refreshed in this manner.
Divine
Protection
Daily
Put your hand on the head of an ally
who is kneeling before you. Say "Bestow 1
armor until sunrise." This armor does not
stack with armor from any other source. The
target can refresh this armor by
concentrating for 60 seconds. If this skill is
used at your altar, you may target two people
with it.
Divine
Healing
Encounter
Put your hand on the head of an ally
who is kneeling or unconscious before you.
Say "Heal 5" and touch the target with a
spell packet. If this skill is used at your altar,
you may target two people with it.
Blessing of
War
Encounter
Put your hand on the head of an ally
who is kneeling before you. Say, "I bestow
two additional damage upon your next
weapon swing." Only one target may benefit
from this blessing at a time. (so you may not
rest and then grant it to a second person)
Majesty Daily
If you are at your altar, or if two
people kneel and pray to you while you rest,
you may concentrate for 60 seconds and
benefit as if you had rested for five minutes.
Cleric's
Boon
Encounter
Put your hand on the head of an ally
who is kneeling before you. Say "Bestow
ability: 3 heal by touch. This may be used
once ever, and fades at sunrise." If this skill
is used at your altar, the ability granted is "6
heal". Only one target may benefit from this
blessing at a time. (so you may not rest and
then grant it to a second person. You may not
grant your boon to anyone else until the first
target's ability is spent.)
Character Creation: Race Skills http://dreamings.ning.com 71
|Þ°I rÞU|
Memory of
Life
Passive
You may pick one additional skill
from your class list.
Initiative Encounter
Your first called damage after you
rest deals +1 damage
Still Soul Encounter
You may concentrate for 3 seconds
and then say "5 heal to self"
Ascended
Soul
Encounter
You may touch an ally for 3 seconds
and then say "5 heal". This may not be used
on yourself.
Damned
Soul
Encounter
After you successfully deliver a
killing blow, you may say "3 damage" and
throw a spell packet.
Advice: Goals http://dreamings.ning.com 72
Advice : Goals
So you've created a character. You've got some
boffer weapons. Now what?
Your character needs goals. This will give you
something to do when you go into the game. A good goal
is something that you can work towards. An interesting
goal is one that conflicts with other players, creating a
tension between you and them.
The Dreaming becomes a boring place if
everybody is friends with each other. Don't be afraid to
make enemies, thwart others, or hold unfair prejudices.
The drama that you create will become fuel for others'
game experience.
If you're bored, do something about it! The game is
just as interesting as players make it. Create guilds, orders,
plots to kill each other, marketplaces, events, et cetera.
The game will be so much more interesting if you engage
yourself in the politics rather than trying to be cool with
everyone. World peace would be nice in real life, but it
would make a really boring Dreaming!
|ÞÞÞIlÞO |ÞÞÞIlÞO |ÞÞÞIlÞO
Every Dreaming character can be the Warden of
a territory. Think about places where you could invite
others to hang out - these might be the ideal place to cast
a Dreamscaping Ritual.
Once you've got a location, establish it as a group
on the social network. Post folklore, pictures, and invite
local players to join. Create a schedule of events at your
location-- make it a gathering point for Dream Walks or
other Rituals. Host social gatherings, parties, votes,
elections, or any excuse to get people together and talking.
Many people like to decorate their territory.
Music, lights, or art can go a long way to make an area feel
more dreamlike. Having a really cool territory is a point of
pride amongst Dreams.
Ô|=ÞO ÞÞ|K°
Dream Walks are one of the more exciting things
you can do in the Dreaming. Coordinating a Dream Walk
can be tough - generally, you'll need to get six or more
people in the same place at the same time. Make sure
somebody takes pictures and archives the Dream Walk, or
it won't count!
By going on Dream Walks you can influence the
game's ongoing plotlines. Dream Walks which have been
Archived also earn you Resonance, points you collect to
earn special skills or power-ups.
Single Player Dream Walks are adventures geared
for one player. If you don't know anybody in your area
who plays the Dreaming, these are adventures you can go
on without a party. You can only earn Resonance from
one Single Player Dream Walk per week.
=KÞ=|l=OÞ=° NÞI ÞÞlOI°
Use the Dreaming as an excuse to do fun things
you might not otherwise do. The Dreaming is also a great
venue for your creative or artistic energy. Music, art,
fiction, or other creative expressions, particularly those
which blur the line between the real world and the dream
world, can be Archived for other players to enjoy. Your
work may be awarded Resonance by game staff. (check
your post's comments!)
It can be enjoyable to immerse yourself in your
character's headspace, allowing yourself to become this
alternate persona. Within the dreaming, you can explore
familiar places with a new set of eyes.
The Dreaming culture and society, as it forms
over the social networking site, can become whatever we
make of it. Many people enjoy this element of the game,
forming governments, customs and traditions which
others will participate in. What does law, goodness, and
justice mean within our world? As social reality is formed
by consensus, one can change the essence of a situation
by convincing others of your point of view. The game's
forum is a venue for you to discuss and explore these
ideas.
We hope that the Dreaming is a game where
much of the content is supplied by other players. If the
game seems boring, perhaps you should do something
which spices it up in the way that you'd like to play.
Gamers are creative people - bring something to the game
for others to enjoy!
Advice: Starting a Dreaming Group http://dreamings.ning.com 73
Advice : Starting a
Dreaming Group
So you've read about the Dreaming. You think it
sounds like fun, and you want to play. Now what?
Odds are there aren't any people playing the
Dreaming in your area.... yet. Recruiting people to game
with can be tricky, but here are some tips to help generate
interest in your area.
• Plan an intro activity - like a boffer
making workshop, character creation day, or
Q&A session. Here, you'll be able to talk about
the game and answer people's questions
• Put up posters - We have a few
printable advertisements for the game. Put these
up in coffee shops, the library, gaming stores,
your school, or any place that people gather.
• Recruit your gaming group - if you
play live action or tabletop roleplaying games, you
probably already know gamers in your area.
Convince them to give the game a try.
• Social Networking Sites - are great
places to recruit other bored gamers. Your town
might have a local bulletin board for posting local
events. You could also post a gathering on
meetup.com.
• Host a Gathering - Once you've got a
few recruits, pick a time and place for everybody
to gather. Invite everybody to the spot for a game
night. Make sure you have some activities planed
such as dueling, fighting Shades, or perhaps a
Dream Walk. Bringing some food and drink won't
hurt either.
• Encourage Others to Lead -
Encourage people to think about good spots for
the game and fun things to do while playing. Get
them to recruit their friends who might be
interested.
Advice: Archiving http://dreamings.ning.com 74
Advice : Archiving
ÞÞÞI l° IÞ= Þ|ÞÞlv=
The Archive is a collective memory shared by all
Dreams. The Archive is kept in a place called the Aether,
which can be accessed through any web terminal. All
Dreams can write to the Archive or post to the Aether.
When you go on a Dream Walk, cast Astral
Magic, or do something which should be a part of the
game's story, you should post it to the archive. In some
ways, things to not "count" unless they are archived as
part of the Dreaming's collective memory.
Before you go on a Dream Walk, you should
make sure somebody in the party agrees to archive the
adventure. You get a point of resonance for the archive
of any Dream Walk you've been on. Be sure to tag your
archive entry with the names of each player involved.
(hint: all tags must be one word. The name "Jeffery
Lyons" will appear as two tags: "Jeffery" and "Lyons".
Instead, use "JefferyLyons")
It helps to have a notepad and camera handy at all
times during live play. If you are taking a photo or video
of gameplay, people shouldn't attack you or interfere with
you. Even monsters will ignore you so that you can be an
impartial observer and get a good shot. You may not use
this custom defensively - if monsters are about to tear you
limb from limb, you can't (necessarily) save yourself just
by pulling out a camera.
=ÞÞÞ Þ|ÞÞlvlOQ
You should endeavor to make your archival posts
interesting and fun to read. Your posts will be richer if
you use photos, video, and well written text. Archival
posts should demonstrate to others what is fun or cool
about this game.
A good archival entry builds narrative. Think about
each archival post as a chapter of the game's story. It's
okay to report on things like tension or cooperation
between characters, philosophical discussions, or even
gossip. Other players and archivists will latch onto these
particles and build more narrative from them.
Even if you are not the one writing the post, you
should endeavor to do things which will make you stand
out in the Archive. While your experience your character's
personal story, your are a character in other people's
stories. So make your performance memorable!
ÞÞÞI IÞ Þ|ÞÞlv=
At the very minimum, an archival entry should
describe what happened. You don't need to write long,
flowery prose. It's okay to list events and attendees in
bullet points. Another simple form of archiving is to snap
a photo with your cell phone, and then e-mail it to the
address listed at the bottom of the photo uploader page.
You may also archive your character's personal
thoughts or reactions to things.
9=°ÞOÞOÞ=
Typically, only the Archiving of Dream Walks
grants you resonance. Things like Astral Magic must be
archived in order to "count", but they do not give you
resonance.
Resonance can be awarded by game staff
members for exceptional contributions to the Archive.
The archival account of an event must be posted
within two days of the event itself, or it does not count.
You may only gain resonance once per day per
Dream Walk. For example, if you go on the Capture the
Flag Dream Walk four times in one day, you only gain
resonance for the first archival account. You cannot space
out your posts over multiple days so that it appears like
you went on the Dream Walk on separate days. If you go
on three different Dream Walks in one day, you can
potentially gain three points of resonance, as long as they
are three different Dream Walk scripts.
Glossary http://dreamings.ning.com 75
Glossary
Þ|ÞÞlv=
The Archive is a record of things which
happen in the Dreaming. Anything posted at
http://dreamings.ning.com is part of the archive.
After something interesting happens in the
Dreaming, it should be archived. This includes
Dream walks, rituals, meetings, assassination
attempts, or anything that others might like reading
about. You should try to use photos and video in
your Archiving. If possible, tell part of a story
which others may build on.
Good Archiving prevent disputes about
cheating. If there ever is disagreement about
whether or not someone should have a certain
power or item, the Archive is a public record you
can reference to prove that you earned it.
In-Game, the Archive is a collective
memory that all Dreams can access through an
internet terminal.
See also: Archiving
ÞÞOÞ=OI|ÞIlÞO
Concentration means standing still (or
sitting) for a certain amount of time without using
any game skills. Some skills require you to
concentrate for a specified period of time while
performing an action. For example, it takes ten
seconds to put poison on a sword. "Resting"
involves concentration for five minutes. While
concentrating, you cannot take a step, be carried, or
use game skills. You may talk or take damage, but
if you lose consciousness, concentration is broken.
Ô|=ÞO
Someone who lives in the Dreaming.
Glossary http://dreamings.ning.com 76
Ô|=ÞO°IÞO=
A Dreamstone is a stone which your
Dreaming character carries around. Any rock could
be used, but many people prefer to pick one which
says something about themselves. A philosophical
Vision might pick an amethyst, whereas a dark and
brooding Lost Soul might pick a lump of coal.
Over time, the Dreamstone will begin to awaken. It
gradually becomes sentient, forming a psychic
connection with the character who carries it. Many
Dreams treat their Dreamstones like companions,
and will make conversation with their
Dreamstones.
9=°I
A five minute break. Some abilities
recharge when you rest. To rest, you must
concentrate for five minutes. You cannot walk or
use game skills while resting. Doing so will reset
the count. At the end of a rest, all your "encounter"
abilities recharge, and all your wounds heal.
ÞÞK=
Someone whose mind is in the Dreaming
while their body is in the Waking World. When
you're playing, you are acting as characters in the
Dreaming. All the other people in the world are
considered wakes, people who are wandering
through the dreamscape in a sort of trance. If you're
having a boffer fight in a park somewhere, and
people stop to watch, those are just people who are
having a dream of a sword fight. You also become a
wake when your character dies -- you take off your
game badge, and you're back to being a non-player,
just a dreamer.
IÞO=
Some abilities let you create a zone. The
ability specifies the shape of the zone, usually a
room, or a circle up to ten feet in diameter. The
border of the zone can be pre-existing, such as a
circle on a tiled floor. You could also create it using
chalk, drawing in the sand, or laying down a rope.
(hint: a 31 foot rope will create a circle 10 feet in
diameter) The border of the zone must be clear to
anybody. If there are any breaks or gaps in a zone's
border, the spell will not work. Characters must
stand clearly on the inside or outside of a zone -
you cannot stand with one foot on each side.